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.

Pharma association blames hospitals for high healthcare costs

In a new report, an association for the pharmaceutical industry has blamed rising healthcare costs on hospitals jacking up prices for prescription drugs.

September 7, 2018

Senate passes bill to ban ‘gag clauses’ in prescription drug purchases

A new bill unanimously passed by the Senate Wednesday would prohibit Medicare insurers from preventing pharmacies from telling consumers if their prescription drugs are cheaper if they pay out of pocket versus through their insurance.

September 7, 2018

OxyContin won’t be covered by BCBS of Tennessee

In the middle of a national opioid epidemic, one major health insurance provider has decided it will no longer cover OxyContin prescriptions next year.

September 7, 2018

ACA benefits, healthcare costs huge issues for voters

Voters are thinking about healthcare when it comes to the upcoming 2018 midterm elections, with pre-existing conditions becoming a widespread concern and a top campaign issue, according to the latest tracking poll from Kaiser Health.

September 6, 2018

CVS-Aetna, Cigna-Express Scripts deals close to DOJ clearance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is close to clearing two mega deals in the healthcare space, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

September 5, 2018

Obamacare challenge heads into oral arguments

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is facing one of its biggest challenges to date as arguments began Wednesday, Sept. 5, in a live-or-die lawsuit that could potentially nullify the healthcare law.

September 5, 2018

WellCare finalizes $2.5B acquisition of Meridian

WellCare Health Plans, a Tampa-based managed care provider, has closed its acquisition of Meridian Health Plans of Michigan, Meridian Health Plans of Illinois and MeridianRx in a deal worth about $2.5 billion.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal has already cost $201M

The $67 billion mega-merger between Cigna and Express Scripts has already cost a staggering $201 million, Axios reported, according to an estimate from Cigna relating to transaction costs incurred in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

September 4, 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.