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.

Judge may block $69B CVS-Aetna deal

Though regulators have signed off on the $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna, a U.S. District Court judge is poised to block the deal, The New York Post reported.

December 13, 2018

PwC: Top health industry issues for 2019

Healthcare organizations are already looking ahead into 2019, and there are six trends to be aware of for the coming year, according to PwC’s report, “Top health industry issues of 2019: The New Health Economy Comes of Age.”

December 12, 2018

Envision renews contract with UnitedHealthcare after billing practices battle

After months of back-and-forth, Envision Healthcare has renewed its contract with UnitedHealthcare.

December 11, 2018

Growth in U.S. healthcare spending slowed in 2017

National health spending grew by 3.9 percent in 2017, about 1 percent slower growth than the previous year, according to the Office of the Actuary at CMS. Total healthcare spending reached $3.5 trillion in 2017, or $10,739 per person.

December 7, 2018

Consumers worry about hospital mergers

It’s no secret the healthcare industry is undergoing massive consolidation, and hospital mergers and acquisitions are a concern among more than 60 percent of American adults, according to a new survey.

December 6, 2018

Hospital groups launch suit against HHS

Hospital groups have launched a lawsuit against HHS over its new outpatient prospective payment system rule, which was finalized in November.

December 5, 2018

Humana to buy back $750M in stocks

Health insurance and services provider Humana has announced it will accelerate stock repurchase of $750 million.

December 5, 2018

CVS launches new PBM pricing model

As CVS Health continues to deal with the closure of its $69 billion acquisition of Aetna, its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) branch is moving ahead with a new pricing model. The new focus could help guarantee net cost predictability and simplify pricing.

December 5, 2018

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.