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.

Private equity transactions in healthcare down 15% since 2023, report finds
However, an analysis from research firm PitchBook suggests a rebound could be on the horizon, as investors shift their gaze to specialty care services.
Payment cuts and beyond: Key takeaways for cardiologists from the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals.
A modest proposal to rally AI regulators around a simple game plan
As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”
FDA set to ban certain over-the-counter cold medications
Oral decongestants containing phenylephrine were found not to be effective. However, nasal sprays of the same drug are not subject to the FDA’s proposed order.
FDA commissioner urges clinicians to join fight against medical misinformation
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

South Carolina hospitals check off 'reduce post-surgical deaths' with safety checklist

Having a checklist for chores or exercise goals help in lining up what needs to be completed and the same should go for safety in hospitals. A recent study, set to be published in August in the Annals of Surgery, found that having a safety checklist program implemented in hospitals in South Carolina reduced post-surgical deaths by 22 percent. 

April 17, 2017

Hospitals give mixed reaction to IPPS proposed rule despite $3.1B boost

CMS released the 2018 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule on April 14, promising “transparency, flexibility, program simplification and innovation to transform the Medicare program” in the first IPPS rule under a new CMS and HHS administration.

April 17, 2017

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

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Payment cuts and beyond: Key takeaways for cardiologists from the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals.

AI in Healthcare

A modest proposal to rally AI regulators around a simple game plan

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

Cardiovascular Business

FDA commissioner urges clinicians to join fight against medical misinformation

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."