Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

UnitedHealth, Amedisys ask federal judge to dismiss DOJ lawsuit blocking $3.3B merger
The companies argue that the U.S. Department of Justice has failed to adequately demonstrate how, and in which regions of the country, the merger would harm competition. They are asking a federal court to throw out the case.
Healthcare private equity reporting act signed into law by Mass. governor
The new law will require private equity firms to make disclosures related to organizational structure and finances if they intend to operate a medical facility or provider organization in the state.
Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?
Dental chain involved in ransomware coverup fined $350K
A regional chain of clinics that lied through its teeth about a data breach has agreed to pay a $350,000 settlement to resolve multiple allegations it violated HIPAA.
$49B in medical debt to be erased from credit reports
A new final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau bans reporting agencies from including medical debts on credit reports or factoring them into credit scores.

CMS proposals aim to free physicians to spend more time with patients

CMS proposed several changes with wide-ranging goals, including aiming to reduce administrative burdens on doctors to spend more time with patients, the agency announced Thursday, July 12.

July 12, 2018

High valuations may curb healthcare M&A appetite of private equity groups

Healthcare M&A has been heating up for years, but sky-high valuations and rising competition may be causing some private equity buyers to walk away from the table.

July 12, 2018

Massive deals among top factors driving healthcare M&A activity

Strong earnings, megadeals and promising demographics are helping drive healthcare M&A activity.

July 12, 2018

Humana completes acquisitions of Kindred, Curo

Health insurance giant Humana—in a deal with private equity groups—closed its acquisitions of home health company Kindred Healthcare and hospice provider Curo Health Services.

July 12, 2018

Americans have mixed feelings about value of medical care

Americans generally agree science has improved the quality of healthcare, but the vast majority consider it unaffordable, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.

July 12, 2018

CMS cuts funding for marketplace navigators for 2nd consecutive year

CMS announced it will award $10 million to the Navigator Program starting in the fall of 2018—representing a sharp decrease from $63 million in 2016.

July 11, 2018

Pfizer backs down on drug price increases, announces split into three businesses

Following attacks by President Trump on Twitter, drugmaker Pfizer backed down on its previously announced plan to raise drug prices on a number of prescriptions. Pfizer also announced Wednesday it will reorganize into three businesses, effective in 2019.

July 11, 2018

Amazon’s OTC business offers pills at steep discount

Retail giant Amazon is selling over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at lower prices than its brick-and-mortar competitors.

July 11, 2018

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Cardiovascular Business

Stryker acquires Inari Medical for $4.9B

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

Radiology Business

The biggest obstacles facing radiology business managers in 2025

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.