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.

Health Care M&A Deal Volume and Value Slipped in Q3:2016, According to HealthCareMandA.com

NORWALK, CT – October 27, 2016 – Health care merger and acquisition activity slipped in the third quarter of 2016. Compared with the second quarter of 2016, deal volume fell 11%, to 369 transactions. Deal volume was also lower than in Q3:15, down 10% from the 411 transactions announced then. Combined spending in the third quarter totaled $48.0 billion, a decrease of 46% compared with the approximately $88.3 billion spent in the previous quarter, according to HealthCareMandA.com.

November 1, 2016

3-month limit on short-term insurance finalized as ACA enrollment begins

Just ahead of the fourth open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace, HHS finalized a rule aimed at improving the risk pool on the exchanges and keeping consumers away from plans that don’t comply with the ACA.

November 1, 2016

Advocate, NorthShore merger halted by appeals court

A federal appeals court sided with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the proposed merger of two Illinois hospital chains, Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University Health System, reversing a lower court’s decision that denied the FTC a preliminary injunction.

November 1, 2016

5 recommendations to reduce, prevent opioid overdoses

Graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh have compiled a list of recommendations to prevent opioid overdoses that is being presented at the American Public Health Association 2016 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Denver.

October 31, 2016

U.S. Supreme Court to take up nursing home arbitration case

The validity of arbitration clauses in nursing home residency agreements will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, as justices have agreed to hear a case against two Kentucky facilities.

October 31, 2016

5 things to know about the Chronic Care Act

A bipartisan group of Senators is proposing ways to improve health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions, which account for the majority of Medicare spending.

October 31, 2016

Hospitals, health plans incorrectly omitted from Illinois ACA exchange

Information on Illinois’ health insurance exchange may be incomplete or inaccurate as shoppers prepare for the fourth open enrollment period.

October 28, 2016

6 things to know about consumers’ healthcare policy priorities

A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation asked what healthcare policies they’d most like to see Congress and the next president address—and making changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) wasn’t the most popular answer.

October 28, 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.