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 issues Class I alert on emergency use esophagogastric tubes
A serious issue with esophagogastric balloon tamponade tubes manufactured by BD could cause the devices to break, potentially delaying care for bleeding patients. Clinicians are advised to review and follow updated use instructions.
CMS outlines policy shifts for ACO REACH model to align with MAHA
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is updating the ACO REACH program—which supports providers caring for rural and low-income populations—to promote patient health as a strategy to reduce costs.
Society of Interventional Radiology seeks AMA resolution urging payments on high-cost disposables
"The number of non-facility services reimbursed at less than direct costs grew 50% since 2024. The number of services under the MPFS for which reimbursement does not even cover cost likely is much higher than 300 services," the proposed AMA resolution states.
SCAI wants lead-free cath labs and a better work-life balance for cardiologists
"The lead protection we wear is causing a lot of damage," SCAI President Srihari S. Naidu, MD, a veteran interventional cardiologist, explained in an interview.
CMS vows to ramp up audits of Medicare Advantage plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will increase medical coding staff from 40 to 2,000 and begin addressing its backlog of audits on Medicare Advantage plans in an effort to spot signs of fraud and abuse.

Gerald Blackwell, president and CEO of MedAxiom, discusses the business of cardiology at ACC 2025.

Cardiology employment models undergoing a dramatic shift

Gerald G. Blackwell, MD, MBA, MedAxiom's president and CEO, examined how different cardiology employment models look today compared to even a decade ago.

Tom Price, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, and former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the first Trump administration has been an advocate for changing immigration policy to help solve the growing shortage of doctors and nurses in the U.S. He explains what is needed for bipartisan legislation to make it easier to recruit foreign doctors.

Former HHS Secretary Tom Price: Immigration reform could alleviate healthcare staffing crisis

Tom Price, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, and former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is an advocate for changing immigration policy to help solve the growing shortage of doctors and nurses in the U.S.

AvaMed CEO warns Senate that tariffs threaten medtech innovation

Scott Whitaker, the CEO of the industry lobby AvaMed, told the Senate Finance Committee that he fears tariffs will only raise the cost of care and put patients at risk if companies are unable to overcome supply chain disruptions.

DOJ halts enforcement of updated Mental Health Parity Act

A Biden-era update to the law would require private insurers to update their networks to ensure patients have access to mental and behavioral health services, with those services reimbursed in a manner similar to physical care.

Epic sued over alleged 'scheme to destroy' managed care company

CureIS, a company that supports healthcare providers who take Medicaid and Medicare, is accusing the EHR leader of data blocking and other anti-competitive practices that violate state and federal laws.

Cardiology groups among the many voices asking Congress not to cut Medicaid

More than 40 U.S. healthcare organizations are urging Congress not to make sweeping Medicaid cuts that could result in approximately 7.6 million Americans losing health insurance.

FDA gives AI-powered blood test for obstructive CAD breakthrough device designation

The FDA clearly sees significant potential in a new multi-protein blood test from Prevencio. The company's goal is to gain full approval and get the test in the hands of emergency departments all over the United States.

Pentagon ends healthcare for transgender service members

The new policy includes hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. The news comes from an internal memo obtained by Reuters, which links it to a broader plan to remove troops with gender dysphoria from the military by June 6.

Around the web

Radiology Business

Society of Interventional Radiology seeks AMA resolution urging payments on high-cost disposables

"The number of non-facility services reimbursed at less than direct costs grew 50% since 2024. The number of services under the MPFS for which reimbursement does not even cover cost likely is much higher than 300 services," the proposed AMA resolution states.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a very low risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis, primarily in young adults. The long-term impact of this risk has been the subject of many studies and debates over the years. One side says that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and the other side says that even the smallest risk of heart damage is too high.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology employment models undergoing a dramatic shift

Gerald G. Blackwell, MD, MBA, MedAxiom's president and CEO, examined how different cardiology employment models look today compared to even a decade ago.