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.

Durbin: No Senate Dems will vote for AHCA, but open to discussion on drug prices

It’s the job of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, as the Senate minority whip to know where every member of his caucus stands on major pieces of legislation. When it comes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), he said to HealthExec “no” Democrats in the chamber would support the bill as-is.

March 17, 2017

Device, drug makers would pay $1 billion extra to FDA under Trump budget

Included in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 is a big increase in what the medical device and pharmaceutical industries would pay the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cover the costs of reviewing their products.

March 16, 2017

5 things to know on deregulation, Medicaid from HHS Secretary's CNN event

HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, weighed in on a number of healthcare issues during a March 15 CNN town hall-style event, focusing mainly on defending the Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

March 16, 2017

ACA exchange enrollment falls short of projections for 2017

Some 12.2 million people purchased health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges in the last open enrollment period, half a million fewer than in the 2016 and well below the 13.8 million projected by HHS under the Obama administration.

March 15, 2017

‘Unacceptable’ coverage losses drive hospital, doctor opposition to ACA replacement bill

Hospital groups, the American Medical Association (AMA) and several other healthcare organizations said they can’t support the American Health Care Act (ACHA), the Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), after an estimate that 24 million more people would become uninsured by 2026 if the bill becomes law. 

March 14, 2017

AHIMA releases guidelines for inclusion of LGBT patients

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released a brief of guidelines for health information management professionals and clinicians on improving inclusion for patients in the LGBTQ community, covering multiple sexual orientations and gender identities.

March 14, 2017

Seema Verma confirmed as CMS administrator

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s selection for CMS administrator, Seema Verma, MPH, by a 55-43 vote, with Democrats largely opposing her nomination while the healthcare industry pledged to work with her.

March 14, 2017

CBO on ACA replacement: 24 million more uninsured, premiums lower by 2026

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the gains in insurance coverage from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would be wiped out if its Republican-sponsored replacement, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), is enacted. 

March 14, 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.