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. 

Professional associations encircle CMS over 2021 Medicare fee schedule

Close to 50 medical organizations representing 1.4 million physicians and other clinicians are pressing CMS to amend the physician fee schedule (PFS) the agency has proposed for Medicare in 2021.

Playing the percentages on face masks: 5 points to ponder

Around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, words have occasionally led to blows over people in public not wearing face masks. Then too, fisticuffs have erupted over people in public wearing face masks.

Initiative aims to leverage technology in mitigating healthcare disparities

AI is a key part of the plan as two groups with little in common come together over health disparities that have only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New international coalition pushes patient advocacy agenda

More than 100 patient groups across 38 countries have banded together to form an international patient advocacy coalition to be known as the World Patients Alliance.

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Liability for following AI treatment recommendations not so clear-cut, but emerging patterns suggest safe pathways

‘We find that two factors reduce lay judgment of liability: following standard care and following the recommendation of AI tools.’

Primera Blue Cross hit with $6.85M penalty, corrective action plan for HIPAA violations

The resolution represents the second largest payment to resolve a HIPAA investigation in OCR history. It also includes a robust corrective action plan that calls for, among other things, two years of monitoring.

US residents may soon be buying drugs from Canada—legally

The Trump Administration’s main aim is widening consumer access to lower prices.

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Washington implores parents, providers to catch kids up on regular doctor visits

So many parents have held children back from visiting clinicians’ offices during the COVID crisis that CMS is issuing an urgent call to action: Please hold them back no more.

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.