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.

Nurse practitioners face barriers to helping areas underserved by PCPs

Nurse practitioners in California are prepared to help fill shortages of primary care physicians in underserved areas around the state—but several barriers challenge this practice, according to a recent survey published in Health Affairs.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal gathering support in DOJ antitrust process

Cigna’s $67 billion acquisition of Express Scripts is looking good after 14 of the 29 states necessary to approve the deal have cleared it.

August 30, 2018

Phlebotomist, EMT among 6 most popular healthcare jobs for millennials

Millennials make up the largest generation in the U.S. labor force, so it should come as no surprise that healthcare jobs are among the most popular roles for this cohort.

August 30, 2018

CMS adds flexibility to Medicare Part D drug plans

Starting in 2020, Medicare Part D drug plans will have more power to tailor which drugs can be used for different indications.

August 30, 2018

GOP may renew fight over ACA repeal following McCain’s death

Congressional Republicans are reportedly thinking about taking another swing at overturning the Affordable Care Act (ACA) after the death of Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, The Hill reported.

August 29, 2018

Could the DOJ be an obstacle to CVS-Aetna merger?

A New York Assemblyman has urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block the $69 billion planned merger between CVS Health and Aetna.

August 28, 2018

GAO: Trump administration stifled ACA enrollment

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report last week that claimed actions by the Trump administration negatively impacted enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace during the 2017 sign-up period.

August 27, 2018

University of Chicago, Humana partner to serve MA members

Health insurance and services provider Humana has teamed up with the University of Chicago Medicine in a value-based agreement to offer coordinated, patient-centered care to Humana’s Medicare Advantage (MA) members.

August 24, 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.