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.

AMGA Encouraged by CMS Willingness to Modify Medicare Advantage Encounter Data Risk Scoring

AMGA is pleased that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is not proposing to move forward with a more aggressive use of Medicare Advantage (MA) encounter data for risk adjustment as part of its Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year 2018 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates, Part C and Part D Payment Policies and 2017 Call Letter.

February 2, 2017

Trump’s HHS nominee advanced after Republicans change committee rules

A day after Senate Democrats boycotted a confirmation vote for President Donald Trump’s nominee for HHS Secretary, the Senate Finance Committee move the nomination to the full Senate anyway by suspending the typical committee procedures. 

February 1, 2017

Retired Navy commander appointed info security chief of HHS

HHS has appointed Christopher Wlaschin, a retired Navy commander, as its new chief information security officer.

January 31, 2017

Senate Dems boycott vote on Price as HHS Secretary

The Senate finance committee scheduled a hearing for Tuesday morning to vote on the confirmation of Tom Price, MD, as the next HHS Secretary. Democrats, however, did not show up.

January 31, 2017

Q&A: Bill Lacy on implementing an effective enterprise imaging strategy

Enterprise imaging is one of the hottest topics in all of medicine, and healthcare and health IT leaders around the country are working hard to develop and carry out a successful enterprise imaging strategy. Bill Lacy, vice president of medical informatics at FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A. Inc., talked to Health Exec about how Fujifilm is helping providers better understand the ins and outs of enterprise imaging. 

January 31, 2017

5 things to know about the Patient Freedom Act

With the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the top of Republicans’ legislative to-do list in Congress, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bill Cassidy, MD, R-Louisiana, have proposed a plan that aims for a middle ground: allowing states that like or dislike the ACA to choose their own path.

January 30, 2017

Republicans meeting on ACA repeal: “What does that reconciliation market look like?”

Republican members of Congress have plenty of doubts and concerns about what the current process for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could do to the health insurance market, according to a record of a closed door meeting obtained by the Washington Post. 

January 27, 2017

An ACA appeal would be a serious threat to value-based care

The surprise of Donald Trump’s presidential victory was not lost on healthcare leaders, even during a busy RSNA 2016 in Chicago. 

January 26, 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.