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.

Healthcare groups trash new ACA replacement plan: ‘It’s simply bad policy’

The changes made to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), have only strengthened opposition to the bill from groups representing hospitals, internists and emergency physicians. 

May 1, 2017

Budget deal adds $2 billion to NIH, going against Trump’s proposal

The federal spending deal Congress reached on April 30 includes $2 billion in additional funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the next five months of the fiscal year, going in the opposite direction of President Donald Trump’s proposed $5.8 million cut to the agency for 2018.

May 1, 2017

Reworked ACA replacement won't face House vote this week

While media debate the significance of President Donald Trump passing 100 days in office, one thing that won't be part of the discussion: reworked legislation for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement.

April 28, 2017

5 things to know about Republicans’ amended ACA replacement plan

Republicans leaders in Congress have reportedly agreed on a new version of their Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal-and-replace plan, allowing states to opt out of ACA requirements such as essential health benefits and a ban on individually rating customers on the individual market. 

April 26, 2017

Major medical groups, hospitals split on ending mandatory bundled payments

The move by CMS to delay mandatory bundled payments for cardiac and orthopedic care was widely supported by medical associations and health systems, judging by their comments to the agency, but some went further, calling for these initiatives from the prior administration be made into voluntary programs.

April 25, 2017

Cutting off ACA insurer subsidies would raise—not lower—federal healthcare spending

If the Trump administration’s goal is to lower federal healthcare spending, discontinuing cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or CSRs, to insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could backfire, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

April 25, 2017

Small practices hope for Tom Price tweaks to MACRA

Physicians at smaller practices want to see one of their fellow physicians offer some regulatory help to make it easier for them to participate in the new payment tracks under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

April 25, 2017

American Medical Association Welcomes HHS Opioid Strategy

The American Medical Association (AMA) said today it looks forward to working with the Trump Administration as it implements a new strategy for combating the nation’s opioid epidemic. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price outlined the strategy Wednesday at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit. 

April 21, 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.