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. 

Exchange news: ConnectiCare staying, N.J. co-op to close for 2017

Customers on Connecticut’s health insurance exchange won’t be limited to a single insurer’s plan after ConnectiCare decided not to leave over a rate dispute, while another Affordable Care Act (ACA) co-op is closing in New Jersey.

Thumbnail

CHIME announces new appointments to leadership positions

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has announced the newest appointments to its board of trustees, board of directors and elected officers for 2018.

Average Annual Workplace Family Health Premiums Rise Modest 3% to $18,142 in 2016; More Workers Enroll in High-Deductible Plans with Savings Option Over Past Two Years

Bethesda, MD – Annual family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose an average of 3 percent to $18,412 this year, a modest increase at a time when workers’ wages (2.5%) and inflation (1.1%) also grew modestly, according to the benchmark Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) 2016 Employer Health Benefits Survey released today. Workers on average contribute $5,277 annually toward their family premiums.

The debate over delicensing anti-vaccination physicians

Vaccination advocates and groups that claim immunizations can be harmful have found something new to fight over: an Orange County, California, pediatrician’s medical license.

Obama meets with exchange insurers ahead of open enrollment

President Barack Obama has asked for insurers to step up their efforts to enroll younger, healthier customers on the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges when open enrollment begins in November.

CMS requires new disaster preparedness standards for healthcare providers

CMS is planning to publish a new set of regulations Sept. 16 that require healthcare providers to comply with new disaster preparedness guidelines. 

Thumbnail

Industry groups applaud MACRA ‘pick your pace’ options

CMS is drawing near unanimous praise from medical associations for allowing greater flexibility for providers to comply with the payment reforms in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

CMS rejects Ohio’s Medicaid waiver request

Ohio’s proposal to charge Medicaid beneficiaries premiums—and end coverage if enrollees fall behind on payments—has been rejected by CMS.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.