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.

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.
Baxter producing IV solutions ahead of schedule at Asheville-area site
The company said its largest production line at its North Carolina plant is operational, accounting for 25% of total output. The site was damaged by flood waters from Hurricane Helene.

Q&A: Bill Lacy on implementing an effective enterprise imaging strategy

Enterprise imaging is one of the hottest topics in all of medicine, and healthcare and health IT leaders around the country are working hard to develop and carry out a successful enterprise imaging strategy. Bill Lacy, vice president of medical informatics at FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A. Inc., talked to Health Exec about how Fujifilm is helping providers better understand the ins and outs of enterprise imaging. 

January 31, 2017

5 things to know about the Patient Freedom Act

With the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the top of Republicans’ legislative to-do list in Congress, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bill Cassidy, MD, R-Louisiana, have proposed a plan that aims for a middle ground: allowing states that like or dislike the ACA to choose their own path.

January 30, 2017

Republicans meeting on ACA repeal: “What does that reconciliation market look like?”

Republican members of Congress have plenty of doubts and concerns about what the current process for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could do to the health insurance market, according to a record of a closed door meeting obtained by the Washington Post. 

January 27, 2017

An ACA appeal would be a serious threat to value-based care

The surprise of Donald Trump’s presidential victory was not lost on healthcare leaders, even during a busy RSNA 2016 in Chicago. 

January 26, 2017

Most doctors, even Trump supporters, oppose ACA repeal but favor changes

When it comes to repealing all of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), primary care physicians are even less supportive of the idea than their patients, according to a new survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

January 26, 2017

ACA repeal plans advance to House committees

Several key House committees have scheduled hearings regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a sign Republicans don’t plan on slowing down the repeal process now that President Donald Trump has taken office.

January 25, 2017

Tom Price’s second HHS Secretary hearing: 'Lower the temperature’ on ACA repeal debate

President Donald Trump’s selection to run HHS, US. Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Georgia, dealt with Democrats’ accusations of ducking policy questions while criticizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mandatory CMS programs and meaningful use of electronic health records in the second hearing on his nomination.

January 24, 2017

UAB receives $16 million grant to reduce cancer disparities

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has received a five-year, $16.6 million renewal grant from the National Cancer Institute for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Morehouse School of Medicine and Tuskegee University partnership to address cancer disparities among African-Americans.

January 23, 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

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

Baxter producing IV solutions ahead of schedule at Asheville-area site

Around the web