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. 

Anti-opioid abuse bill expected to pass this week despite fight over funding

The Senate will likely pass legislation to combat opioid addiction this week, even though Democrats hadn’t signed off on the bill over the lack of new federal funding for treatment and prevention programs.

What Purdue Pharma may have known about an OxyContin ring in L.A.

A Los Angeles Times investigation alleges Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, continued supplying clinics and pharmacies it suspected of trafficking the highly addictive drug and never alerted law enforcement.

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State news: Meningitis outbreak in L.A., Ill. blocks risk-adjustment payment from co-op

Here’s a roundup from healthcare news from California, Illinois, Ohio and Massachusetts.

Inside the House’s budget bill for HHS: Cuts for CMS, more money for NIH, CDC

The House appropriations bill covering HHS would increase the agency’s funding by $73.2 billion over fiscal year 2016, but includes policy amendments likely to stir up opposition among Democrats and cuts for CMS and programs tied to the Affordable Care Act.

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Primary care gets boost in pay under new CMS fee schedule

CMS would increase payments for primary care, geriatricians, family physicians and mental healthcare under the proposed physician fee schedule for 2017, along with expanding its Medicare diabetes prevention model. 

Indiana woman posed as healthcare worker to steal from senior living communities

A woman posing as a healthcare worker at four different senior living facilities has been charged with burglary, theft, attempted burglary and corrupt business influence, reports Fox59.

Veterans could see private doctors under new recommendations

The Veterans Affairs Commission on Care released their final report July 5, a culmination of an investigation into better healthcare practices after the 2014 scandal veterans hospitals waiting time scandal. 

Is it time for healthcare to have a digital code of ethics?

Entering the digital age has changed a lot of fundamental things in healthcare. Records are computerized, telehealth is booming and your phone can even detect an array of diseases. As the healthcare industry evolves into a more technologically savvy place, a code of ethics may be needed for the digital space.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses some of the biggest obstacles facing the specialty in the new year. 

Mark Isenberg, executive vice president of Zotec Partners, discusses key developments that will reshape the specialty this year. 

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.