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.

Catholic hospital sued for refusing to perform emergency abortion on a hemorrhaging patient
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing Providence St. Joseph Hospital to discourage an incident like this from happening in the future.
Newsom vetoes bill to regulate private equity transactions in healthcare
Assembly Bill 3129 would have given the California Attorney General oversight of all private equity investments or purchases involving a healthcare entity. Gov. Gavin Newsom argued that a similar regulatory framework is already in place.
FDA announces recall of Pfizer's fast-tracked sickle cell drug
The drugmaker is voluntarily withdrawing Oxbryta from the market due to a higher-than-acceptable risk of death.
Public health coalition wins lawsuit against EPA for lack of fluoride oversight
A federal judge in California ruled existing evidence of the negative effects of fluoride in drinking water warrants an investigation and potential action from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Cardiology groups cheer new bill that would improve access to Medicare claims data
If passed, this bill would help clinician-led clinical registries explore Medicare data for research purposes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American College of Cardiology both shared public support for the bipartisan legislation.

Defining the highest spenders in healthcare

Rising healthcare costs are a huge problem in the U.S., though the biggest spenders in the healthcare system are concentrated to a small population.

August 5, 2019

Drugmakers not happy about new importation rule

The drug industry is not happy about a new plan from the Trump administration that would allow cheaper drugs to be imported from Canada. The initiative, called the Safe Importation Action Plan, was announced by HHS July 31.

August 2, 2019

Medicare Part D premiums drop again

Average Medicare Part D premiums have dropped for the third year in a row, according to CMS, and they are projected to decline again in 2020. Medicare Part D plans offer prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries.

August 1, 2019

HHS launches safe importation action plan for prescription drugs

HHS is launching a new action plan for the safe importation of certain prescription drugs to bring in medications from foreign markets. The Safe Importation Action Plan extends recent initiatives from the Trump administration to make prescription drugs cheaper in the U.S.

July 31, 2019

CMS launches new data pilot program aimed at clinicians

Just a day after announcing three new payment proposals for 2020, CMS introduced a new pilot program for clinicians focusing on data.

July 30, 2019

CMS proposal would force hospitals to post negotiated rates

CMS unleashed a slew of proposals July 29, including 2020 payment rule proposals and a requirement for hospitals to publish the payer-specific negotiated prices of healthcare services.

July 30, 2019

Pfizer to combine drugs business with Mylan

Pfizer, one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies, is merging its off-patent and generic drug business with Mylan, a global generic and specialty pharmaceutical company based in the Netherlands. The spinoff deal is expected to close mid-2020, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.

July 29, 2019

White House prepping another exec order on drug prices

President Trump is reportedly working on another executive order targeting rising drug prices, according to Reuters.

July 26, 2019

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups cheer new bill that would improve access to Medicare claims data

If passed, this bill would help clinician-led clinical registries explore Medicare data for research purposes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American College of Cardiology both shared public support for the bipartisan legislation.

Cardiovascular Business

Watchdog group, fearful of fraud, wants more oversight for remote patient monitoring

Cardiologists and other physicians may soon need to provide much more information when ordering remote patient monitoring for Medicare patients.

Cardiovascular Business

Most recalled cardiovascular devices gained FDA approval with little to no clinical evidence

Why are so many cardiovascular devices involved in Class I recalls? One possible reason could be the large number of devices hitting the market without undergoing much premarket clinical testing.