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.

Research shows hospital mergers contribute to overdoses, suicides
A new paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found the rise in care costs from mergers contributes to layoffs that have economic ripple effects.
Medical staff must have a say in what AI is adopted for patient care, says AMA
The American Medical Association adopted a policy calling for medical staff to be involved in decisions about adopting AI that may impact patient care.
Change Healthcare begins sending breach notifications
UnitedHealth Group has said it will begin notifying patients directly in July. There’s still no evidence medical records were exposed to hackers.
Adventist Health settles with DoJ over sharing patient data with police
Staff at the health system shared protected medical information with law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of two women.
Novant Health backs out of North Carolina hospital buyout after FTC pressure
The U.S. Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit temporarily blocked the buyout of two North Carolina hospitals after an FTC appeal.

Doctor's office blood pressure cuff and odoscope. Hypertension. The WISEWOMAN program proved to be a useful intervention to screen low-income, uninsured women and offer them risk reduction counseling to improve blood pressure, diet and physical activity.

CDC-funded program improved cardiovascular health of low-income Nebraska women

The WISEWOMAN program proved to be a useful intervention to screen low-income, uninsured women and offer them risk reduction counseling to improve blood pressure, diet and physical activity.

June 17, 2024

Senators introduce bill to criminalize private equity ‘looting’ in healthcare

Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren are co-sponsoring legislation that would put executives in jail if their business practices result in the death of a patient.

June 14, 2024

Telehealth execs face 20 years for $100M Adderall prescription fraud

The CEO and the medical director of telehealth platform Done have both been arrested for allegedly running a virtual pill mill.

June 14, 2024

UnitedHealth needs to be solely responsible for HIPAA notifications after Change Healthcare breach, letters demand

The ONC has fallen short of plainly stating that UnitedHealth is required to send the notifications, leaving providers in regulatory limbo.

June 13, 2024

There has been a growing shortage of cardiologists the past several years, but this has accelerated due to burnout from the pandemic, falling reimbursements and increasing administrative burdens. This prompted a joint session on this topic with the ACC and the Heart Rhythm Society at HRS 2024, with ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, FACC, president and CEO of Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, former ACC president Ed Fry, MD, chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line, and EP Parin Patel.

Addressing staffing shortages in cardiology

ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, RN, Edward Fry, MD, and electrophysiologist Parin Patel, MD, discuss the growing cardiologist shortage.

June 13, 2024

CVS Health announces $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

CVS generic drugs twice as likely to be recalled over safety concerns, investigation finds

CVS generics have been linked to more than 15 manufacturers cited for producing allegedly contaminated drugs.

June 12, 2024

AMA fixing prior authorization_AMA22.jpeg

Coalition seeks to simplify prior authorizations and improve Medicare Advantage coverage

More than 380 organizations have expressed support for the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which unanimously passed a House vote in 2022.

June 12, 2024

Cardiologist-supported prior authorization reform reintroduced in Congress

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act has been considered by Congress multiple times, getting closer than ever in 2023. Will 2024 be the year it finally lands on the president's desk?

June 12, 2024

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Private equity-backed cardiology group puts cloud-based technology in hands of its cardiologists

Cardiovascular Associates of America, backed by Webster Equity Partners, currently includes practices in eight different states. Its partner cardiologists now have preferred access to multiple cloud-based services provided by Athenahealth.

Cardiovascular Business

ASNC supports AMA effort to limit use of AI in prior authorization decisions

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) supports an AMA policy that condemns the use AI to make prior authorization decisions rather than a doctor or clinician.

AI in Healthcare

US healthcare is flush with venture investments in AI: Silicon Valley Bank report

The past five years have been boom times for AI startups courting venture investors in healthcare, and the good times just keep rolling.

Policy & Regulations

Research shows hospital mergers contribute to overdoses, suicides

Medical staff must have a say in what AI is adopted for patient care, says AMA

Change Healthcare begins sending breach notifications

Adventist Health settles with DoJ over sharing patient data with police

Novant Health backs out of North Carolina hospital buyout after FTC pressure

Around the web