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.

Largest health system in N.C. hit with antitrust lawsuit

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) is being accused of illegally keeping patients from lower-priced competitors by including steering restrictions in its contracts with insurers.

June 10, 2016

HHS funding bill advances to full Senate

For the second straight year, the appropriations bill covering HHS and its related agencies has been passed out of a Senate committee.

June 10, 2016

HHS emphasizes ACA success stories at forum

The heads of HHS and CMS tried to project confidence to insurers about the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces after some of the largest companies announced plans to scale back their exchange offerings or proposed premium increases for 2017.

June 9, 2016

Senate setting up Zika conference

The Senate will be voting on an agreement to begin talks with the House on a long-disputed Zika funding package, reports the Hill.

June 9, 2016

House advances bills on health crisis readiness, sports medicine liability

Two pieces of legislation dealing with public health issues were passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee June 8.

June 9, 2016

Med school injects health policy into curriculum

George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences is integrating the usual clinical medical school studies with the policy issues affecting care and the healthcare system.

June 9, 2016

Feds crack down on Medicare ambulance fraud

Teams of federal officials have been fighting ambulance fraud where one fraudulent ambulance operator would shut down only to have another, sometimes headed by a friend or family member, replace it, reports JEMS.

June 8, 2016

Physicians would have to report medical device problems under new bill

A new bill in Congress aimed at changing the Food and Drug Administration’s medical device approval process would require physicians and their practices to report defects or issues with devices, while protecting doctors from being sued over those reports.

June 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.