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.

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.
Walmart workers sue over tobacco fees levied for health plan trust
The class action lawsuit argues employees cannot escape the fees even after they stop using tobacco, a violation of labor regulations.
HHS awards $75M for addiction and maternal health services in rural areas
The funds will be used to expand services and improve the financial stability of existing healthcare organizations located in underserved regions of the South.

Republicans adding high-risk pool funding to save ACA replacement plan

House Republicans reportedly worked late into the night May 2 on further amendments to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to address opposition from moderates about the bill’s lack of protections for people with pre-existing conditions. 

May 3, 2017

Leading Patient Advocacy Groups Stand Together to Oppose American Health Care Act

On behalf of more than one hundred million Americans battling chronic and other major health conditions, the following coalition of 10 patient organizations remains united in its opposition to the American Health Care Act (AHCA)

May 1, 2017

Healthcare groups trash new ACA replacement plan: ‘It’s simply bad policy’

The changes made to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), have only strengthened opposition to the bill from groups representing hospitals, internists and emergency physicians. 

May 1, 2017

Budget deal adds $2 billion to NIH, going against Trump’s proposal

The federal spending deal Congress reached on April 30 includes $2 billion in additional funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the next five months of the fiscal year, going in the opposite direction of President Donald Trump’s proposed $5.8 million cut to the agency for 2018.

May 1, 2017

Reworked ACA replacement won't face House vote this week

While media debate the significance of President Donald Trump passing 100 days in office, one thing that won't be part of the discussion: reworked legislation for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement.

April 28, 2017

5 things to know about Republicans’ amended ACA replacement plan

Republicans leaders in Congress have reportedly agreed on a new version of their Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal-and-replace plan, allowing states to opt out of ACA requirements such as essential health benefits and a ban on individually rating customers on the individual market. 

April 26, 2017

Major medical groups, hospitals split on ending mandatory bundled payments

The move by CMS to delay mandatory bundled payments for cardiac and orthopedic care was widely supported by medical associations and health systems, judging by their comments to the agency, but some went further, calling for these initiatives from the prior administration be made into voluntary programs.

April 25, 2017

Cutting off ACA insurer subsidies would raise—not lower—federal healthcare spending

If the Trump administration’s goal is to lower federal healthcare spending, discontinuing cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or CSRs, to insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could backfire, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

April 25, 2017

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.