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.

92% of rural Nebraska hospitals report financial hardship caused by Medicare Advantage plans
Members of the Nebraska Rural Health Association overwhelmingly expressed concerns that Medicare Advantage plans could jeopardize patient health. Some are considering dropping their contracts with the plans altogether.
Federal government moves in to support Asheville, other Helene disaster areas
Asheville's water treatment facility was heavily damaged, forcing its hospitals to operate using water brought in from trucks.
Catholic hospital sued for refusing to perform emergency abortion on a hemorrhaging patient
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing Providence St. Joseph Hospital to discourage an incident like this from happening in the future.
Newsom vetoes bill to regulate private equity transactions in healthcare
Assembly Bill 3129 would have given the California Attorney General oversight of all private equity investments or purchases involving a healthcare entity. Gov. Gavin Newsom argued that a similar regulatory framework is already in place.
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.

HHS launches emergency drug packaging solutions with public-private blend

HHS is bringing together a public-private partnership to address emergency drug packaging with a U.S.-based solution using low-cost prefilled syringes.

March 18, 2020

Trump declares national state of emergency over coronavirus

President Trump declared a national emergency over the new coronavirus, COVID-19, on March 13, freeing up more funds to tackle the virus and respond to the crisis.

March 16, 2020

Best and worst states for doctors in 2020

Montana is the best state for doctors in 2020, according to a new ranking from WalletHub.

March 16, 2020

CMS outlines coverage benefits for coronavirus

CMS has issued Frequently Asked Questions to provide more information on essential health benefits coverage of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak.

March 13, 2020

Most expensive drugs in the U.S.

Drug prices in the United States are higher than anywhere else in the world, and there are some prescription medicines with price tags in the millions.

March 13, 2020

Survey says: U.S. hospitals have big plans for automation

Nearly two-thirds of hospitals are hoping to implement robotic process automation and AI technologies in the next two years, according to a new survey of healthcare executives.

March 13, 2020

Patients are comfortable with AI-powered cancer screening, but still want input from physicians

Patients are on board with AI-powered skin cancer screening, according to a new study published in JAMA Dermatology. But relationships with human physicians remain a priority.

March 12, 2020

Trump sends drug pricing reform principles to Congress

President Trump has sent his wish list of drug pricing reform priorities to Capitol Hill.

March 12, 2020

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.

Policy & Regulations

92% of rural Nebraska hospitals report financial hardship caused by Medicare Advantage plans

Federal government moves in to support Asheville, other Helene disaster areas

Catholic hospital sued for refusing to perform emergency abortion on a hemorrhaging patient

Newsom vetoes bill to regulate private equity transactions in healthcare

FDA announces recall of Pfizer's fast-tracked sickle cell drug

Around the web