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. 

Former Aetna CEO suggests separating special enrollment customers on exchanges

A separate risk pool for customers who purchase insurance from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges during the special enrollment period could help stabilize the market, argued former Aetna CEO and chairman Ronald Williams.

Senators want information on increases in price for EpiPens

The price of EpiPens, an injectable treatment for serious allergic reactions, has increased by more than 400 percent in the last nine years, and two U.S. Senators are asking the device manufacturer and federal regulators to explain why.

EpiPen's 400 percent price increase has consumers and Congress confused and concerned

U.S. lawmakers are joining concerned parents in demanding to know: What is up with the sudden increase in the price of an EpiPen? 

FDA, medical device companies agree to $1 billion in user fees

Medical device companies will pay the FDA nearly $1 billion in user fees for five years beginning in October 2017 under the fourth reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee & Modernization Act (MDUFA).

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Device companies agree to pay $1 billion in user fees to FDA

Medical device companies will pay the FDA nearly $1 billion in user fees for five years beginning in October 2017 under the fourth reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee & Modernization Act (MDUFA).

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Zika could be harmful to adult brains, spread to other Gulf states

The U.S. should brace itself for even more Zika headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), because the virus could be around for a while and spread to even more areas. One study found it could be even more harmful than scientists originally believed.   

OIG: States may be pocketing federal funds meant for hospitals

State governments may be profiting off Medicaid funds meant for hospitals that are publicly-owned but managed privately, according to a report from HHS’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

One patient’s story of being uninsured in Texas

Although the Affordable Care Act provided health insurance to many people throughout the country, some are still stuck without insurance, particularly those in southern states.

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.