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. 

Compounded drugs safety bill signed into law

President Barack Obama signed into law legislation geared toward improving the overall safety of compounded drug products.

CMS expands resources to help providers prepare for ICD-10

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are doing everything they can to help providers prepare for the Oct. 1, 2014, ICD-10 implementation date. Denesecia Green, CMS senior health insurance specialist, spoke with Clinical Innovation + Technology about the agency’s ICD-10 resources.

AHA: Move up ICD-10 testing process

The American Hospital Association wants the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to move up its ICD-10 testing plans from March to January, make sure the process is available to all hospitals and establish the same testing date for all Medicare contractors.

House hearing explores regulation of mobile medical apps

A House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing explored whether proposed rules governing the oversight of mobile medical device apps should be codified into law.

CMS begins MAC test prep for March

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are gearing up for ICD-testing with Medicare Administration Contractors (MACs) in March.

Compounded drugs safety bill awaits president’s signature

The Senate unanimously endorsed a bipartisan bill, the Drug Quality and Security Act (H.R. 3204), which would create an electronic system to track compounded prescription drugs through the distribution chain and impose additional regulations on compounding pharmacies.

Report links ACA to slowdown of healthcare costs

Recent data show that healthcare spending is growing at its slowest rate in decades. The White House Council of Economic Advisers released a 29-page report that links the Accountable Care Act to this spending slowdown, and also attributes the law to improvements in quality of care.

Bill expands MU incentives to mental health providers

A bill introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) would extend the EHR incentive program to behavioral health providers, including psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse facilities and psychologists.

Around the web

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.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.