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.

AHA: Next healthcare bill may be attached to CHIP renewal in October

Debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) often revolves around three Rs: repeal, replace and repair. American Hospital Association (AHA) President and CEO Rick Pollack thinks after the failure of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), two more can be added: Republican and revolt.

March 28, 2017

With replacement shelved, regulations could decide ACA’s fate

The Republican-controlled House couldn’t pass a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, but if the goal is to weaken the law, the executive branch can do so all on its own.

March 27, 2017

Healthcare industry welcomes decision to yank ACA replacement bill

Groups representing physicians, family medicine and hospitals were pleased to see the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored replacement to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tabled before a scheduled House vote on March 24—even though it left plenty of uncertainty for insurance markets.

March 27, 2017

ACA replacement bill pulled before House vote

In a victory for the major medical organizations opposed to it, a scheduled vote in the House on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) was called off as Republican leaders failed to convince enough of their own members to support the plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

March 24, 2017

CBO: ACA replacement changes save less money, don’t improve coverage

An updated assessment on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said amendments to the Republican-sponsored Affordable Care Act replacement plan wouldn’t improve its losses in insurance coverage and would decrease the amount of savings to the federal budget. 

March 24, 2017

House vote on ACA replacement postponed

House Republican leaders have chosen to call off a planned vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), their replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as last-minute revisions and negotiations failed to guarantee enough support to pass the bill.

March 23, 2017

Possible repeal of required health benefits draws ire of public hospitals, ER docs

In last-minute negotiations on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), eliminating the 10 “essential health benefits” requirements put in place by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was floated as an option to win over conservative lawmakers, a development which was quickly opposed by groups representing public hospitals and emergency physicians.

March 23, 2017

Trump HHS budget proposal raises FDA user fees

President Donald Trump's 2018 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) includes a doubling of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees, putting added strain on small digital health businesses.

March 22, 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.