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.

Senate’s version of ACA repeal released

The legislation takes many provisions from the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA) under a new name: the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA).

June 22, 2017

Proposed MACRA changes praised in initial industry reaction

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) appear pleased with the proposed rule for the second year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), with some groups reserving judgment until they have time to review the 1,058-page regulation.

June 21, 2017

CMS proposes raising low-volume exemption, adding virtual groups in MACRA’s second year

The proposed rule for the second year of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act’s (MACRA) Quality Payment Program (QPP) has been released by CMS, with its stated goal to “simplify the program, especially for small, independent, and rural practices, while ensuring fiscal sustainability and high-quality care.”

June 20, 2017

New ONC chief offers hints at policy priorities

In his first blog post since being named to lead the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), Donald Rucker, MD, focused mostly on his own “journey” through medical school, the early days of electronic health records and working as chief medical officer at Siemens.

June 20, 2017

The timeline leading up to the Senate’s ACA repeal vote

Senate Republican leaders appear to be sticking to their goal of holding a vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their vehicle for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, by the end of June, despite resistance from both Democrats and the healthcare industry on legislation that has yet to be released.

June 20, 2017

Nevada ‘Medicaid for all’ bill vetoed

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has vetoed legislation to create a Medicaid buy-in option in the state.

June 19, 2017

Senate Republicans struggle to explain how AHCA would benefit consumers

Eight Republicans in the Senate were asked by Vox to explain what problems in the healthcare system the American Health Care Act (AHCA) is trying to solve and how it will be better than the Affordable Care Act—and while some could explain desired outcomes from the bill, identifying the exact policies to achieve those goals seemed to be difficult.

June 16, 2017

Democrats’ bill would make reinsurance permanent for ACA exchanges

Legislation to establish a permanent reinsurance program for the Affordable Care Act marketplace has been introduced by five Democratic senators.

June 15, 2017

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.