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.

Small practices hope for Tom Price tweaks to MACRA

Physicians at smaller practices want to see one of their fellow physicians offer some regulatory help to make it easier for them to participate in the new payment tracks under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

April 25, 2017

American Medical Association Welcomes HHS Opioid Strategy

The American Medical Association (AMA) said today it looks forward to working with the Trump Administration as it implements a new strategy for combating the nation’s opioid epidemic. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price outlined the strategy Wednesday at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit. 

April 21, 2017

Waiving ACA provisions brings mixed signals on whether repeal vote is coming

Republicans in Congress are under pressure from President Donald Trump to quickly push forward on a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to multiple news sources, but for each comment saying the majority party is close to an agreement, there seems to be another denying it.

April 21, 2017

HHS Secretary defends eliminating required health benefits

In an interview with CNN, HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, continued to defend Republican alternatives to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), calling the American Health Care Act (AHCA) “a significantly better program than the one we currently have.”

April 20, 2017

NCCN Survey Reveals Oncology's Concerns about Financial Distress, Patient Access to Care

Oncology community professionals are concerned about the ability of their patients to access cancer screening and treatment under the proposed American Health Care Act, according to a survey conducted March 23–24, 2017 at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) 22nd Annual Conference: Improving the Quality, Effectiveness, and Efficiency of Cancer Care™ at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.

April 19, 2017

CMS Administrator doesn’t ease insurers’ concerns on subsidies

Insurance companies that are members of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) made their case to CMS for billions in cost-sharing reduction subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to continue—but left with no promises the administration would maintain funding.

April 19, 2017

EMS Professionals Will Appeal to Congress to Support Life-saving Services and Patient Access to Emergency Medications at EMS On The Hill Day

Hundreds of emergency and mobile healthcare professionals, representing emergency medical services (EMS) in almost every U.S. state, will assemble on Capitol Hill to request support from congressional leaders on issues vital to the health and safety of every community in our nation.

April 18, 2017

Insurers still jittery about ACA market after CMS rule

The final rule aimed at stabilizing the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges doesn’t appear to have won the perception battle with insurers debating whether to participate in the marketplace.

April 18, 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.