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.

Risk corridor ruling could lead to $2.8 billion payout for insurers

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Oregon health insurer Moda Health in its lawsuit against the federal government over unpaid risk corridor payments included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The decision could open the floodgates for new insurer lawsuits to recoup some of the billions of dollars owed under the program. 

February 10, 2017

State-run ACA exchanges saw increase in enrollment for 2017

While fewer people purchased coverage through the federal Healthcare.gov site in the 2017 open enrollment period, the 11 states (and the District of Columbia) that run their own exchanges saw a slight increase in sign-ups. 

February 10, 2017

CNN healthcare debate centers on ACA repeal vs. single-payer system

U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, put their widely different takes on healthcare on display in an Affordable Care Act (ACA)-focused debate on CNN.

February 8, 2017

HHS may change age ratio, cut open enrollment in half for 2018

Major regulatory changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges and health insurance in general are being drafted by the Trump administration, according to POLITICO.

February 7, 2017

Trump on ACA repeal: 'Maybe it'll take until some time into next year'

President Donald Trump pushed back the timeline for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), saying it could take until 2018 and calling the process “very complicated” in a Feb. 5 interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.

February 6, 2017

2017 Healthcare.gov enrollment down after ads pulled in final week

CMS said 9.2 million people signed up for health coverage through the federal Healthcare.gov site during the open enrollment period that ended Jan. 31, down from 9.6 million reported to have signed up last year. 

February 3, 2017

New ACA market rule coming

CMS has indicated a new rule aimed at stablizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA)'s insurance exchanges for 2018 is coming, but it isn't offering many details. 

February 3, 2017

ACA repeal may be more like a ‘repair’

The rhetoric on healthcare reform is changing, as Republican majorities in Congress are beginning to shift away from fully eliminating the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to modifying it.

February 3, 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.