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 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.
FDA issues recall on infusion pump parts due to risk of uncontrollable drug flow
Due to a risk of fatal overdose, the recall is labeled as the most serious of its type. While no patients have died, two have reportedly been injured.

Current ACA repeal plan carries $1.1 trillion increase in uncompensated care costs

The number of uninsured people would more than double and the individual insurance market would collapse if the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is repealed through a fast-track process called budget reconciliation.

December 7, 2016

Insurers want more time to decide on 2018 ACA exchange participation

With Congress and the next president promising repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the nation’s largest health insurance lobby wants a delay for insurers to submit plans to offer coverage on the law’s exchanges for 2018.

December 7, 2016

CMS reports ‘modest’ 2015 expenditures

A new report from CMS today shows healthcare spending in 2015 was modest compared to years before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed.

December 2, 2016

6 things to know about AHA’s letter to Trump

The American Hospital Association (AHA) laid out some specific policy priorities for hospitals in a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, offering clues to where their lobbying efforts will focused once Trump takes office.

December 1, 2016

ACA replacement may be delayed until 2020

Republicans in Congress aim for immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, but may give themselves up to three years to come up with a replacement plan.

December 1, 2016

How the ACA has aided gunshot victims

Since Medicaid was expanded under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many patients wounded by gunshots have received treatment they needed, something they couldn’t access before—and a benefit that may be taken away if President-elect Donald Trump’s administration dismantles the ACA.

November 30, 2016

ACA, MACRA critic Tom Price is Trump’s pick for HHS Secretary

Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Georgia, will be appointed to run HHS by President-elect Donald Trump, giving the administration’s top healthcare post to a staunch proponent of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

November 29, 2016

Reworked '21st Century Cures Act' to get vote in House

A new version of legislation aimed at speeding up regulatory approval for medical devices and drugs will get a vote in the House this week.

November 28, 2016

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.