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.

HHS ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security
Mass firings on Tuesday led to thousands of workers at the CDC, FDA and NIH losing their jobs, including those working on public health initiatives and vaccine approvals.
California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk
The proposed “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” named after the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny necessary care to patients. The lawyer who proposed the measure said the controversial name was chosen to garner public attention.
FDA announces new recall of Medtronic surgical devices over safety concerns
The agency warned that any unused devices should be removed from the market and returned to the manufacturer.
300+ groups urge Senate GOP to reject Medicaid cuts
In an open letter, advocacy groups said the budget proposal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would “shred our nation’s social safety net.”
HHS to cut 10,000 jobs during 'dramatic restructuring'
The agency said it plans to reduce staff by 25% and consolidate 28 divisions into 15. However, it said Medicare and Medicaid will remain operational.

Major players remain opposed to ACA replacement ahead of House vote

The American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have all come out against passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is scheduled for a vote before the full House of Representatives on March 23.

GOA to investigate FDA’s orphan drug program

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has confirmed it will investigate the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Orphan Drug program following a letter from senators citing possible exploitation.

Both Dems, Repubs misinform constituents on healthcare policy

Members of both parties have received and answered plenty of letters from their constituents about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other aspects of healthcare policy. According to a fact check from ProPublica, neither side can claim it has always been truthful to the people it represents. 

5 changes made in revised ACA replacement plan

Ahead of a planned March 23 vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), House Republican leaders released a new version of the replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with several big changes aimed at bolstering support for the legislation within their own party.

ACA replacement set for vote in House on March 23

The Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the American Health Care Act (AHCA), will get a vote in the full U.S. House on March 23, despite doubts that it has enough votes to pass.

MGMA to CMS: Where are the MIPS eligibility notifications?

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has asked newly confirmed CMS Administrator Seema Verma to quickly release overdue eligibility information for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of two new payment tracks implemented as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). 

Durbin: No Senate Dems will vote for AHCA, but open to discussion on drug prices

It’s the job of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, as the Senate minority whip to know where every member of his caucus stands on major pieces of legislation. When it comes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), he said to HealthExec “no” Democrats in the chamber would support the bill as-is.

Device, drug makers would pay $1 billion extra to FDA under Trump budget

Included in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 is a big increase in what the medical device and pharmaceutical industries would pay the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cover the costs of reviewing their products.

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

ACC urges RFK Jr. to make Medicare reform a priority, warns against mass layoffs

The American College of Cardiology has sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that outlines some of the organization’s central priorities and concerns.

Radiology Business

FDA announces recall of Medtronic interventional radiology devices after 17 injuries, 4 deaths

One product is being pulled from the market, and the other is receiving updated instructions for use.

AI in Healthcare

What federal regulators can learn from the states about AI oversight

If the Trump administration continues taking a laissez-faire stance toward AI—including AI used in healthcare—why not let the states go it alone on regulating the technology?

Policy & Regulations

HHS ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security

California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk

FDA announces new recall of Medtronic surgical devices over safety concerns

300+ groups urge Senate GOP to reject Medicaid cuts

HHS to cut 10,000 jobs during 'dramatic restructuring'

Around the web