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. 

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Trump to announce expansion of non-ACA-complaint 'association health plans'

The Trump administration appears close to announcing a new health insurance option for small businesses and self-employed individuals that would offer fewer benefits and cost less.

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62% of millennials would let insurers check social media if it lowered premiums

A majority of millennials—individuals between 18 and 34 years old—are willing to let health insurance companies access their social media, provided their premiums could be lowered, according to a survey from MuleSoft Inc.

6 factors behind PwC's 2019's medical cost trend of 6%

PricewaterhouseCoopers released its report on medical cost trends, which estimates numbers for 2019. The good news? Cost increases have leveled off—rising 6 percent in 2019. But for employers, these increasing expenditures do not lead to improved productivity. Medical costs continue to jump, while growth in labor productivity should remain near 1.1 percent for 2019—below the average annual increase of 2.3 percent in recent decades.

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Trump administration announces tariffs on $50B of Chinese goods—including medical devices

After months of statements, speculation, trade talks, tweets and threats, the U.S. government has officially put tariffs in place on $50 billion worth of products imported from China, including medical imaging equipment. X-ray, CT and MRI equipment are all on the list of products included in this announcement.

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Court rules against insurers seeking $12B in ACA risk corridor payments

In a Thursday, June 14, ruling, a federal appellate court denied claims from health insurers who claimed they were owed billions of dollars from an Affordable Care Act (ACA) program. The court ruled 2-1 against two insurers who wanted the federal government to repay them for covering sicker, more expensive patients than initially expected.

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All quiet: Stryker says it's not discussing takeover of Boston Scientific

Medical device company Stryker filed a claim with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday saying it is not in discussions with Boston Scientific on a potential takeover.

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Millions of Americans could be affected by "work-for-Medicaid" ruling

A federal court hearing has been scheduled regarding the Trump administration’s decision to give states the power to enforce work requirements on Medicaid enrollees.

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AMA opposes non-ACA-compliant insurance plans without protections for preexisting conditions

Despite claims otherwise from President Donald Trump, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land—though federal actions have increased instability in the ACA’s marketplaces. Following last year’s repeal of the individual mandate, insurers are now offering short-term, non-ACA-compliant policies, which could leave a sicker, older population shopping on ACA marketplaces.

Around the web

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”