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.

Healthcare growth slows, but June adds 49,000 new jobs
For the last year, the average monthly growth has been 64,000 new jobs. However, healthcare continues to outpace most other sectors of the economy.
Optum settles improper opioid prescription accusations for $20M
The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary has not admitted any wrongdoing but said it has improved protocols for monitoring controlled substances.
AMA: Examining a doctors’ health data can help detect burnout
More than 50% of physicians reported feeling burned out, leading to large numbers retiring or changing jobs The AMA now wants to look at healthcare worker medical records to help identify workplace stressors and how to improve well-being.
Tracking private equity: Cardiologist, CEO share perspective on acquisition trends
The ongoing rise of private equity continues to be one of the biggest topics in modern healthcare.
Inmates in five states, including minors, to be granted Medicaid coverage
Inmates in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Utah and Vermont will be granted access to patient care services, including behavioral health and drug abuse interventions.

Researchers examined data from more than 900 patients, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Money and healthcare spending and econimics.

Cost of healthcare expected to increase by 7% in 2024

The estimated increase is driven by multiple factors, including labor shortages, provider contract negotiations and rising drug prices.

July 5, 2023

CMS slated to introduce nearly 400 new CPT codes in October

The upcoming changes include a total of 395 new codes, 25 deletions and 13 revisions.

June 30, 2023

SEC nails former Pfizer employee for insider trading ahead of COVID drug announcement

The senior statistician purchased short-term stock options, including some that expired the next day, after allegedly being made aware of Paxlovid’s success in clinical trials ahead of a public announcement.

June 30, 2023

American Medical Association slams Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, saying it 'undermines decades of progress'

"Diversity is vital to healthcare, and this court ruling deals a serious blow to our goal of increasing medical career opportunities for historically marginalized and minoritized people."

June 29, 2023

The FDA has approved donislecel, a new pancreatic islet cellular therapy made from the pancreatic cells of deceased donors, for the treatment of type 1 diabetes among adult patients with severe hypoglycemia. Lantidra

FDA approves first cellular therapy to treat type 1 diabetes

The new therapy, made from the pancreatic cells of deceased donors, is designed to help adult type 1 diabetes with severe hypoglycemia go a year or longer without needing to take insulin.

June 29, 2023

Former Johnson & Johnson sales rep indicted for defrauding hospital out of hundreds of thousands of dollars

The sales representative is alleged to have falsely documented his sales numbers on invoices submitted to the hospital’s billing department in addition to interfering with their sterilization processes, according to the DOJ.

June 28, 2023

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

Moderna's updated COVID vaccine now awaits FDA authorization

"We have been working diligently for months to build ample supply, with doses ready to ship in time for the fall vaccination season in the Northern Hemisphere,” Moderna's CEO said in the announcement.

June 23, 2023

Bristol Myers Squibb joins others suing US government over portions of the Inflation Reduction Act

The Drug Price Negotiation Program already has changed how the company considers the development of future oncology programs and medications.

June 20, 2023

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Tracking private equity: Cardiologist, CEO share perspective on acquisition trends

The ongoing rise of private equity continues to be one of the biggest topics in modern healthcare.

Cardiovascular Business

Private equity in cardiology: 4 key takeaways from a 10-year analysis

Tracking private equity acquisitions can be challenging, but that didn't stop researchers from exploring the last decade of activity in cardiology. "It will be critical to monitor the effects on procedural utilization, quality and outcomes for patients with CVD,” the group wrote.

Cardiovascular Business

Private equity-backed cardiology group puts cloud-based technology in hands of its cardiologists

Cardiovascular Associates of America, backed by Webster Equity Partners, currently includes practices in eight different states. Its partner cardiologists now have preferred access to multiple cloud-based services provided by Athenahealth.