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.

Anthem supports ACA replacement legislation

The second-largest health insurer in the U.S., Anthem, has come out in support of provisions in the Republican-sponsored replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), going against the opposition expressed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and concerns from its own industry group. 

March 13, 2017

The potential impact of the Republican ACA replacement

Health policy analyses predict 15 million people could lose their health coverage and 30 million could be subject to surcharges on top of premiums if the Republican-sponsored American Health Care Act (AHCA) goes into effect.

March 10, 2017

ACA replacement plan advances without changes after marathon hearing

It took until the wee hours of the morning, but Republicans advanced part of their replacement legislation for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without making any changes to the original bill in the House Ways and Means Committee.

March 9, 2017

Conservatives plan their own ACA replacement bill

Objecting to the American Health Care Act (ACHA) introduced by Republican leaders in the House, conservative lawmakers have pledged to introduce their own alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

March 8, 2017

‘Critically flawed’: Industry groups blast Republican ACA replacement

The initial reaction to the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced by Republican leaders in Congress and supported by President Donald Trump, is negative across several major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the Federation of American Hospitals. 

March 8, 2017

5 things hospitals, insurers should know about Republicans' ACA replacement

House Republicans have released the full text of the long-awaited legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Titled the “American Health Care Act (AHCA),” the bill would eliminate the ACA’s mandate for individuals to buy insurance and roll back the expansion of Medicaid, while restoring disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments.

March 7, 2017

ACA replacement plan expected to be detailed this week

A legislative aide, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said there have been a series of phone calls finalizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement plan involving Speaker Paul Ryan, HHS Secretary Tom Price, White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s domestic policy adviser Andrew Bremberg and others.

March 6, 2017

HHS Secretary Price doesn’t rule out Medicare changes

HHS Secretary Tom Price said the Trump administration and Republicans “believe in the guarantee of Medicare for our seniors,” but he wouldn’t promise there would be no cuts to the program in an interview on CBS's “Face the Nation.”

March 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.