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.

FTC sues PBMs and GPOs for insulin price collusion
In a statement announcing its lawsuit, the FTC said Caremark, Optum RX and Express Scripts benefit from manufacturer rebates and ignore lower-costing drugs as a way to artificially increase prices.
FTC sues drug middlemen over insulin prices, puts others on notice
The FTC alleges that pharmacy benefit managers have set up a system where they get rich, while patients are forced to pay rising insulin costs. The agency also called out drug manufacturers such as Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, saying their own actions have raised serious concerns.
Study ranks US health system dead last among wealthy nations
Low rankings for accessibility and outcomes earned the country the overall lowest ranking in an analysis of healthcare systems across 10 nations.
Landmark opioid trial in Baltimore set to begin; Johnson & Johnson settles to avoid jury
Six companies have settled with the city for as total of over $402M. Two remaining defendants, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, will test their luck in court.
Coalition of 86 healthcare groups calls for change to Affordable Care Act rule
In a letter to Congress, the groups are urging lawmakers to support HR 9001 and lift the ban on physician-run hospitals.

CVS-Aetna, Cigna-Express Scripts deals close to DOJ clearance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is close to clearing two mega deals in the healthcare space, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

September 5, 2018

Obamacare challenge heads into oral arguments

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is facing one of its biggest challenges to date as arguments began Wednesday, Sept. 5, in a live-or-die lawsuit that could potentially nullify the healthcare law.

September 5, 2018

WellCare finalizes $2.5B acquisition of Meridian

WellCare Health Plans, a Tampa-based managed care provider, has closed its acquisition of Meridian Health Plans of Michigan, Meridian Health Plans of Illinois and MeridianRx in a deal worth about $2.5 billion.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal has already cost $201M

The $67 billion mega-merger between Cigna and Express Scripts has already cost a staggering $201 million, Axios reported, according to an estimate from Cigna relating to transaction costs incurred in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

September 4, 2018

Nurse practitioners face barriers to helping areas underserved by PCPs

Nurse practitioners in California are prepared to help fill shortages of primary care physicians in underserved areas around the state—but several barriers challenge this practice, according to a recent survey published in Health Affairs.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal gathering support in DOJ antitrust process

Cigna’s $67 billion acquisition of Express Scripts is looking good after 14 of the 29 states necessary to approve the deal have cleared it.

August 30, 2018

Phlebotomist, EMT among 6 most popular healthcare jobs for millennials

Millennials make up the largest generation in the U.S. labor force, so it should come as no surprise that healthcare jobs are among the most popular roles for this cohort.

August 30, 2018

CMS adds flexibility to Medicare Part D drug plans

Starting in 2020, Medicare Part D drug plans will have more power to tailor which drugs can be used for different indications.

August 30, 2018

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

FTC sues drug middlemen over insulin prices, puts others on notice

The FTC alleges that pharmacy benefit managers have set up a system where they get rich, while patients are forced to pay rising insulin costs. The agency also called out drug manufacturers such as Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, saying their own actions have raised serious concerns.

Cardiovascular Business

Cath lab techs and nurses see new normal with post-COVID pay

In the post-COVID era, wages for permanent RNs are rising, and wages for travelers are decreasing. A new report tracked these trends and more.

Cardiovascular Business

Merit Medical to purchase Cook Medical’s lead management portfolio for $210M

Two medical device companies have announced a transaction that could shake up the U.S. electrophysiology market.