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.

ACA replacement plan expected to be detailed this week

A legislative aide, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said there have been a series of phone calls finalizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement plan involving Speaker Paul Ryan, HHS Secretary Tom Price, White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s domestic policy adviser Andrew Bremberg and others.

March 6, 2017

HHS Secretary Price doesn’t rule out Medicare changes

HHS Secretary Tom Price said the Trump administration and Republicans “believe in the guarantee of Medicare for our seniors,” but he wouldn’t promise there would be no cuts to the program in an interview on CBS's “Face the Nation.”

March 6, 2017

ACA’s future hot topic at HIMSS 2017—but HIMSS itself doesn’t take a stance

Many panels at HIMSS 2017 in Orlando included references to the ongoing policy debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how that’s affecting all corners of the industry. For HIMSS itself, however, it feels health IT is better off staying out of much of the discussion.

March 3, 2017

No more meaningful use? MedPAC floats idea in MACRA discussion

Physicians wouldn’t be measured on meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) in the new Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under a proposal floated by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).

March 3, 2017

HIMSS 2017: Ex-HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt predicts ‘less disruptive’ ACA repeal, survival of CMMI

The era of President Donald Trump in healthcare policy may not go as predicted, either for Republicans in Congress or Democrats critical of his pick for HHS Secretary, according to the last Republican who ran the agency, Mike Leavitt.

March 2, 2017

AHIMA releases toolkit to assist in preparing for HIPAA audits

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released its External HIPAA Audit Readiness Toolkit to assist organizations in preparing for the upcoming Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Phase 2 audits. The toolkit includes Phase 2 aspects for covered entities, business associates and includes tips in meeting responsibilities.

March 2, 2017

Medical malpractice legislation advancing in Congress

The House Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would cap punitive damages in medical malpractice cases at $250,000 when it involves patients covered under Medicare, Medicaid, veterans or military health plans or plans on Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges.

March 1, 2017

The impact of Trump’s 5-point healthcare proposal

President Donald Trump didn’t advocate for a specific piece of legislation on healthcare in his Feb. 28 joint address to Congress, but he did outline several parts of plan similar to what House Republican leaders have already proposed.

March 1, 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.