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. 

PHE for COVID-19 will continue past January

The public health emergency enacted during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue past January 2023. 

 

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Emergency hospital transfer of STEMI patients might be expedited with a hospital-level 'Call 911 protocol'

The AHA Mission: Lifeline Program was designed to reduce STEMI patient transfer times, but response times still often lag, and new protocols may be needed to expedite STAT transfers.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, who is a cardiologist, spoke at the opening session of the American Heart Association (AHA) last week about the need for doctors and health systems to step up to address two major problems - misinformation and health disparities.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf calls on cardiology to address health inequities and combat misinformation

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, who is a cardiologist, spoke at the opening session of the American Heart Association about the need to step up and address two major problems in the American healthcare system. 

CMS provides update on its accountable care strategy

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is charging forward with its plan to bring Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries into coordinated care models.

ACC President Ed Fry, MD, an interventional and general cardiologist at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, and chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line, says Medicare cuts for 2023 are a tipping point that need to be a call to action across medicine. #AHA22 #ACC

VIDEO: ACC president says Medicare cuts should be a call to action across healthcare

American College of Cardiology President Edward Fry, MD, spoke about recent Medicare cuts at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Chicago. 

Texas to repay $30M in care payments that didn’t meet requirements

The state of Texas may have claimed more than $30 million in federal funds for Medicaid uncompensated care payments that didn’t actually meet federal and state requirements.

ACO accountable care coordination shared savings

ACOs win in 2023 Physician Fee Schedule

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) were handed a big win in the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) with several changes to the shared savings program that will likely encourage participation.

 

Cardiologists, electrophysiologists ‘disappointed’ in final 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society issued a joint statement soon after CMS published its final rule for the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The groups warned that the final rule could threaten patient access to high-quality care. 

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.