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.

Calif. HIX awards $184M in no-bid contracts

California’s health insurance exchange, Covered California, has awarded $184 million in contracts without the competitive bidding and oversight that is typical for state government, reports Fox News.

October 13, 2014

Editorial: Americans ill-informed about ACA thanks to Democrats, Republicans

The mass confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act—which includes rules forbidding insurance companies from denying coverage and promotes free preventative care, among many other provisions—is the fault of both Democrats and Republicans, according to The Hill.

October 13, 2014

Massachusetts is first state to require price transparency

On Oct. 1, Massachusetts became the first state to require insurers to post real-time prices of procedures and visits, reports WBUR.

October 8, 2014

New version of HealthCare.gov goes live

Federal officials have released a new version of HealthCare.gov, which features a streamlined application process for those signing up for the first time, reports ABC News.

October 8, 2014

2,610 hospitals hit with 30-day readmission penalties

Medicare is expected to cut payments for a record-breaking 2,610 hospitals because of failure to reign in 30-day readmissions, reports Kaiser Health News.

October 6, 2014

Editorial: Let vets receive care where they choose

Veterans have been waiting three months or longer for initial physician appointments during a time when the healthcare ecosystem outside the Department of Veteran Affairs struggles to fill beds and open slots.

October 4, 2014

HealthCare.gov will allow consumers to “window shop”

Entering year two, HealthCare.gov continues to evolve. The sign-up portal soon will allow customers to “window shop” for health plans prior to starting the enrollment process, reports Bloomberg.

October 4, 2014

On HealthCare.gov anniversary, Republicans still bring up tech issues

Republicans continue to cite HealthCare.gov’s rocky launch when making the case against the Affordable Care Act, reports the Washington Post.

October 1, 2014

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.