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.

Concern over ACA ruling grows as appeal on pause

Many Americans with disabilities and pre-existing conditions are concerned about their future if a ruling that overturns the Affordable Care Act remains in place.

January 21, 2019

Doctor perspective: Climate change is a health emergency

Climate change impacts, from more harmful pollution to wildfire injuries, are negatively influencing human life. But doctors can help, according to two physicians who wrote a perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine.

January 21, 2019

Arizona’s Medicaid work requirements approved

Arizona is the latest state to have approval for a Medicaid work requirement program—joining seven other states with approved programs.

January 21, 2019

CVS and Walmart come to agreement after drug pricing battle

CVS Health and Walmart have reached a new, multiyear deal to continue their pharmacy business relationship. CVS announced the agreement Jan. 18, three days after the companies stated they would no longer be in the same network for filling prescription drugs after a pricing dispute.

January 18, 2019

CMS introduces new models to lower drug prices in Part D, Medicare Advantage

CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has announced a new model that aims to lower prescription drug prices in Medicare Part D and introduced several updates to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

January 18, 2019

CMS proposes 2020 payment notice

The Trump administration’s CMS has proposed a number of changes to the 2020 coverage year, including making changes to the individual health insurance exchange and qualified health plan provisions.

January 18, 2019

Healthcare is the hottest stock sector

The healthcare sector remains a sweet spot for the stock market, ranked the most favored sector on the S&P 500 among Wall Street research firms, Reuters reported.

January 16, 2019

Congress to look into drug prices

Rising drug prices have caught the attention of the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Reform, which announced it will open a “sweeping” drug price investigation.

January 16, 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.