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.

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.
Kentucky AG launches criminal probe after conscious man nearly has organs harvested
The incident happened three years ago when Anthony Hoover was declared brain-dead on his medical record, only to wake up on the operating room table moments before his organs were harvested. The incident has spurred a criminal investigation by Kentucky's attorney general.
FDA announces Class I recall of ventilators after 3 patient injuries
An unexpected nickel coating on the breathing circuits of Percussionaire Phasitron 5 ventilators is being blamed for the recall. The FDA is asking providers to stop using them immediately.
FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans
The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer.
Stewardship Health sale to private equity finalized for $245M
The physician group, once part of Steward Health Care, has been rebranded as Revere Medical.

Healthcare industry ‘deeply disappointed’ by House passage of AHCA

Many major medical associations quickly spoke out against the American Health Care Act (AHCA), calling the Republican-sponsored plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) “bad policy” that could “destabilize our healthcare system,” after it passed by a narrow margin in the House May 4. 

May 4, 2017

ACA replacement passes in House despite healthcare industry objections

The Republican majority in the House was successful in passing the American Health Care Act (AHCA), its plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), by a narrow margin of 217-213 over objections about how it could affect people with pre-existing conditions and resistance from major healthcare associations.

May 4, 2017

Illinois providers could stop seeing Medicaid patients due to late state payments

Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) serving beneficiaries in Illinois said they may stop doing so unless the state government resumes regular Medicaid payments as previously ordered by a federal judge.

May 3, 2017

Defining single-payer healthcare a problem for its liberal proponents

The battles over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health policy and how to bend the cost curve in healthcare have led to more support for a “Medicare for all,” single-payer system in the U.S. What its liberal advocates are ignoring, according to Health Affairs contributor Rob Cunningham, is whether the system would actually reduce the cost of care.

May 3, 2017

Statement on the American Health Care Act from Paul Markovich, President and CEO, Blue Shield of California

 As we consider the renewed effort to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is important to acknowledge both its successes and its flaws.

May 3, 2017

Republicans adding high-risk pool funding to save ACA replacement plan

House Republicans reportedly worked late into the night May 2 on further amendments to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to address opposition from moderates about the bill’s lack of protections for people with pre-existing conditions. 

May 3, 2017

Leading Patient Advocacy Groups Stand Together to Oppose American Health Care Act

On behalf of more than one hundred million Americans battling chronic and other major health conditions, the following coalition of 10 patient organizations remains united in its opposition to the American Health Care Act (AHCA)

May 1, 2017

Healthcare groups trash new ACA replacement plan: ‘It’s simply bad policy’

The changes made to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), have only strengthened opposition to the bill from groups representing hospitals, internists and emergency physicians. 

May 1, 2017

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Q&A: Why are cardiovascular devices involved in so many recalls? FDA policies may be to blame

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist compensation still rising, especially in invasive and interventional cardiology

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA’s tirzepatide decision creates uncertainty for patients—and leads to a lawsuit

When drugs are on the FDA’s shortage list, outsourcing facilities can produce their own compounded versions. When the FDA removed tirzepatide from that list with no warning, it created a considerable amount of chaos both behind the scenes and in pharmacies all over the country.

Policy & Regulations

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

Kentucky AG launches criminal probe after conscious man nearly has organs harvested

FDA announces Class I recall of ventilators after 3 patient injuries

FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

Stewardship Health sale to private equity finalized for $245M

Around the web