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.

5 things to know on deregulation, Medicaid from HHS Secretary's CNN event

HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, weighed in on a number of healthcare issues during a March 15 CNN town hall-style event, focusing mainly on defending the Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

March 16, 2017

ACA exchange enrollment falls short of projections for 2017

Some 12.2 million people purchased health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges in the last open enrollment period, half a million fewer than in the 2016 and well below the 13.8 million projected by HHS under the Obama administration.

March 15, 2017

‘Unacceptable’ coverage losses drive hospital, doctor opposition to ACA replacement bill

Hospital groups, the American Medical Association (AMA) and several other healthcare organizations said they can’t support the American Health Care Act (ACHA), the Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), after an estimate that 24 million more people would become uninsured by 2026 if the bill becomes law. 

March 14, 2017

AHIMA releases guidelines for inclusion of LGBT patients

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released a brief of guidelines for health information management professionals and clinicians on improving inclusion for patients in the LGBTQ community, covering multiple sexual orientations and gender identities.

March 14, 2017

Seema Verma confirmed as CMS administrator

The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s selection for CMS administrator, Seema Verma, MPH, by a 55-43 vote, with Democrats largely opposing her nomination while the healthcare industry pledged to work with her.

March 14, 2017

CBO on ACA replacement: 24 million more uninsured, premiums lower by 2026

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the gains in insurance coverage from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would be wiped out if its Republican-sponsored replacement, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), is enacted. 

March 14, 2017

HHS Secretary Price encourages states to use ACA waivers for reinsurance, high-risk pools

While supporting the current proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, encouraged states to submit more “innovation waivers” as allowed under the ACA to form their own reinsurance programs and fund pools to cover high-cost patients.

March 13, 2017

‘Patients before politics': AMA launches site focused on ACA repeal debate

After coming out in opposition to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican-sponsored plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the American Medical Association (AMA) is stepping up efforts to get physicians involved in the legislative conversation through a new website.

March 13, 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.