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.

HHS Secretary wants physicians’ ideas for new payment models

HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, is encouraging physicians to submit more suggestions on new Medicare payment models to move away from fee-for-service payments.

April 14, 2017

5 things to know about the final ACA marketplace rule for 2018

CMS has issued its final rule aimed at stabilizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance exchanges, checking many items off insurers’ wish lists while leaving the most pressing issue—whether cost-sharing reduction subsidies will be funded—unsettled as insurers decided whether to participate in the individual market next year.

April 14, 2017

Trump puts healthcare back on top of his agenda

When his first push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) failed to garner enough support, President Donald Trump initially said he would move onto other issues, namely changes to the tax code. He appears to have changed his mind in an interview on the Fox Business Network. 

April 12, 2017

HHS: Cost-sharing subsidies in ACA will be funded

Subsidies to health insurers offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will continue to be funded, HHS told the New York Times, even though House Republicans had made the argument in court the payments were illegal. 

April 11, 2017

ACA critic, Minnesota health economist Stephen Parente appointed to leadership post at HHS

Stephen Parente, PhD, MPH, MS, brings a long resume as a health economist and policy expert. He’s spent the last 17 years at the University of Minnesota, currently holding the title of Minnesota Insurance Industry Chair of Health Finance in the Carlson School of Management and director of the school’s Medical Industry Leadership Institute.

April 10, 2017

FDA approves two hepatitis C drugs for pediatric patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir) for the treatment of hepatitis C in pediatric patients, ages 12 to 17.

April 7, 2017

Florida hospitals asked to detail executive pay info to lawmakers

The Florida House of Representatives is asking the state’s hospitals for “extensive financial data,” according to the Tampa Bay Times, as the chamber considers a state budget with nearly $600 million in cuts affecting those facilities. 

April 7, 2017

Without subsidies, insurers would need 19% premium hike for ACA plans

The average monthly premium for a benchmark silver-level plan on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace would need to be increased by 19 percent to compensate for lost cost-sharing subsides if the program isn’t funded by the Republican-controlled Congress for 2018.

April 6, 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.