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. 

There has been a growing shortage of cardiologists the past several years, but this has accelerated due to burnout from the pandemic, falling reimbursements and increasing administrative burdens. This prompted a joint session on this topic with the ACC and the Heart Rhythm Society at HRS 2024, with ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, FACC, president and CEO of Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, former ACC president Ed Fry, MD, chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line, and EP Parin Patel.

Addressing staffing shortages in cardiology

ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, RN, Edward Fry, MD, and electrophysiologist Parin Patel, MD, discuss the growing cardiologist shortage.

CVS Health announces $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

CVS generic drugs twice as likely to be recalled over safety concerns, investigation finds

CVS generics have been linked to more than 15 manufacturers cited for producing allegedly contaminated drugs.

Coalition seeks to simplify prior authorizations and improve Medicare Advantage coverage

More than 380 organizations have expressed support for the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which unanimously passed a House vote in 2022.

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Cardiologist-supported prior authorization reform reintroduced in Congress

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act has been considered by Congress multiple times, getting closer than ever in 2023. Will 2024 be the year it finally lands on the president's desk?

AMA wants insurers to be accountable when prior authorization harms patients

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates this week approved two policies aimed at increasing insurer accountability and transparency amid an explosion of prior authorization requirements.

FDA announces recall of Medline endotracheal tubes after three injuries

The Medline Sub-G endotracheal tubes with subglottic suction are defective and known to tear, potentially leading to serious injury or death.

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates today elected Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist from Flint, Michigan, as president-elect of the AMA for the 2025-2026 term. Mukkamala will be inaugurated as AMA president in June 2025. Photo courtesy of the AMA

AMA elects new president heavily involved in Flint water contamination response

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates elected a new president and numerous other positions.

CityMD agrees to $12M settlement over alleged COVID claims fraud

The company cooperated with a DoJ investigation into COVID-19 tests being erroneously billed to the federal government.

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.”