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. 

Inside the House’s budget bill for HHS: Cuts for CMS, more money for NIH, CDC

The House appropriations bill covering HHS would increase the agency’s funding by $73.2 billion over fiscal year 2016, but includes policy amendments likely to stir up opposition among Democrats and cuts for CMS and programs tied to the Affordable Care Act.

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Primary care gets boost in pay under new CMS fee schedule

CMS would increase payments for primary care, geriatricians, family physicians and mental healthcare under the proposed physician fee schedule for 2017, along with expanding its Medicare diabetes prevention model. 

Indiana woman posed as healthcare worker to steal from senior living communities

A woman posing as a healthcare worker at four different senior living facilities has been charged with burglary, theft, attempted burglary and corrupt business influence, reports Fox59.

Veterans could see private doctors under new recommendations

The Veterans Affairs Commission on Care released their final report July 5, a culmination of an investigation into better healthcare practices after the 2014 scandal veterans hospitals waiting time scandal. 

Is it time for healthcare to have a digital code of ethics?

Entering the digital age has changed a lot of fundamental things in healthcare. Records are computerized, telehealth is booming and your phone can even detect an array of diseases. As the healthcare industry evolves into a more technologically savvy place, a code of ethics may be needed for the digital space.

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Study: Prescribing patterns change after states pass medical marijuana laws

States which had legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes saw a combined drop of $165.2 million in Medicare Part D spending in 2013, according to a new study published in Health Affairs.

Chicago reaches deal with Pfizer to disclose addiction risks in opioid marketing

As part of an agreement with the city of Chicago, Pfizer will implement a written code of conduct to disclose the risks of opioid use when promoting its medications to both patients and physicians.

Connecticut ACA co-op could be next to shut down

HealthyCT, Connecticut’s nonprofit health insurance co-op, is being placed under supervision by the state after CMS said it will owe millions in risk-adjustment payments.

Around the web

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. 

Cardiologists and other physicians may soon need to provide much more information when ordering remote patient monitoring for Medicare patients.

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. 

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