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.

Cuts in NIH funding could arrive sooner than expected

Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump announced a budget for fiscal year 2018 that included an 18 percent reduction in HHS funding. Now, it appears federal dollars for medical research could be pulled earlier than initially expected.

March 30, 2017

Price defends HHS budget cuts, vows 'to uphold the law' of ACA

HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, faced a barrage of questions from Democrats about his plans for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

March 29, 2017

AHA: Next healthcare bill may be attached to CHIP renewal in October

Debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) often revolves around three Rs: repeal, replace and repair. American Hospital Association (AHA) President and CEO Rick Pollack thinks after the failure of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), two more can be added: Republican and revolt.

March 28, 2017

With replacement shelved, regulations could decide ACA’s fate

The Republican-controlled House couldn’t pass a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, but if the goal is to weaken the law, the executive branch can do so all on its own.

March 27, 2017

Healthcare industry welcomes decision to yank ACA replacement bill

Groups representing physicians, family medicine and hospitals were pleased to see the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored replacement to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tabled before a scheduled House vote on March 24—even though it left plenty of uncertainty for insurance markets.

March 27, 2017

ACA replacement bill pulled before House vote

In a victory for the major medical organizations opposed to it, a scheduled vote in the House on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) was called off as Republican leaders failed to convince enough of their own members to support the plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

March 24, 2017

CBO: ACA replacement changes save less money, don’t improve coverage

An updated assessment on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said amendments to the Republican-sponsored Affordable Care Act replacement plan wouldn’t improve its losses in insurance coverage and would decrease the amount of savings to the federal budget. 

March 24, 2017

House vote on ACA replacement postponed

House Republican leaders have chosen to call off a planned vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as last-minute revisions and negotiations failed to guarantee enough support to pass the bill.

March 23, 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.