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. 

Technology companies have a better view of your health than you might think

It’s a grudgingly accepted fact of life among many that specific personal data and more general meta data about nearly everyone is stored online, possibly accessible to people, corporations and governments willing to look for it. 

FDA taking hands-off policy towards ‘low-risk’ health apps, devices

Fitness trackers and mobile apps that focus on “general wellness” won’t be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to new guidance released by the agency, while warning that more invasive technologies still fall under its purview.

CMS announces payment changes for skilled nursing, hospice, rehab facilities

In a flurry of announcements July 28, CMS released its payment and policy changes for three Medicare payment systems in fiscal year 2017: skilled nursing facilities, hospice benefit and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

State news: S.C. hospital to pay $17M settlement, new single-payer proposal in N.J.

Here’s a roundup of healthcare news from around the country, including the relaunch of CHIP in Arizona and 400 Massachusetts doctors switching to a rival network.

HHS joins international public-private organization to combat antibiotic resistant infections

The U.S. is investing in the effort to combat drug-resistant bacteria through an international partnership including public and private entities, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

FTC supported by 11 states in suit against Advocate-NorthShore merger

Eleven state attorneys general have filed an amicus brief backing the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to block the merger of two health systems in suburban Chicago, Advocate HealthCare and NorthShore University Health System.

8.8 million New Yorkers give consent to put health records on state-wide network

With reports of healthcare networks being hacked, patients in New York appear to trust such information will be kept safe. The New York eHealth Collaborative announced that more than 8 million New Yorkers have given consent to their healthcare providers to access their records through a state-wide network, SHIN-NY.

Anti-overdose drug available in Texas CVS stores

Texas residents in danger of a drug overdose will have easier access to a potentially life-saving drug. 

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.