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.

Major players remain opposed to ACA replacement ahead of House vote

The American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have all come out against passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is scheduled for a vote before the full House of Representatives on March 23.

March 22, 2017

GOA to investigate FDA’s orphan drug program

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has confirmed it will investigate the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Orphan Drug program following a letter from senators citing possible exploitation.

March 22, 2017

Both Dems, Repubs misinform constituents on healthcare policy

Members of both parties have received and answered plenty of letters from their constituents about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other aspects of healthcare policy. According to a fact check from ProPublica, neither side can claim it has always been truthful to the people it represents. 

March 22, 2017

5 changes made in revised ACA replacement plan

Ahead of a planned March 23 vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), House Republican leaders released a new version of the replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with several big changes aimed at bolstering support for the legislation within their own party.

March 21, 2017

ACA replacement set for vote in House on March 23

The Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the American Health Care Act (AHCA), will get a vote in the full U.S. House on March 23, despite doubts that it has enough votes to pass.

March 20, 2017

MGMA to CMS: Where are the MIPS eligibility notifications?

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has asked newly confirmed CMS Administrator Seema Verma to quickly release overdue eligibility information for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of two new payment tracks implemented as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). 

March 17, 2017

Durbin: No Senate Dems will vote for AHCA, but open to discussion on drug prices

It’s the job of Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, as the Senate minority whip to know where every member of his caucus stands on major pieces of legislation. When it comes to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), he said to HealthExec “no” Democrats in the chamber would support the bill as-is.

March 17, 2017

Device, drug makers would pay $1 billion extra to FDA under Trump budget

Included in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 is a big increase in what the medical device and pharmaceutical industries would pay the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cover the costs of reviewing their products.

March 16, 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.