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.

Medicare overhaul could be part of Congress’s ACA repeal

With Donald Trump winning the presidency and Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, the odds favor a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Whatever replaces it may also address what House Speaker Paul Ryan calls “serious problems” in Medicare.

November 14, 2016

Trump hints at ACA compromise

In his first interview since winning the presidency, President-elect Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal he favors keep certain popular portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), though he campaigned on a promise to fully repeal the law.

November 11, 2016

Surge in ACA enrollment following election

More than 100,000 people signed up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplace the day after the presidential election.

November 11, 2016

The Trump transition for healthcare: Who’s leading it, what associations want

As the initial shock of Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the presidential race wears off, his HHS transition team now has a leader and major professional associations are reaching out with policy priorities—which for some groups may include fighting the president-elect’s promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

November 11, 2016

How state healthcare initiatives fared on Election Day

Besides the presidential election’s ramifications on the healthcare industry, there were several important ballot initiatives affecting health policy across the country. 

November 9, 2016

So long, ACA: What President Trump means for healthcare

Healthcare’s new reality could be a return to pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) policies and turning Medicaid into a state block grant program after Donald Trump’s upset victory in the 2016 presidential election.

November 9, 2016

CMS long-term care rule blocked by federal judge

A rule banning nursing homes from requiring residents to sign contracts requiring pre-dispute arbitration has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge.

November 8, 2016

Recondo Technology Closes $16 million Funding Round to Support Exponential Growth to Power the Healthcare Revenue Cycle

Greenwood Village, CO—November 3, 2016—Recondo Technology, the market leader in cloud-based single-platform revenue cycle management solutions, announced today that it closed an additional $16 million in debt and capital funding to support and accelerate the company’s future growth curve. Lehmi Ventures led the round, with Bridge Capital serving as the debt partner.

November 8, 2016

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.