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. 

House committee subpoenas HHS over ACA reinsurance program

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has issued a subpoena to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell to turn over documents related to the Affordable Care Act’s reinsurance program, which Republican members on the committee claim has been improperly funded by the agency.

Biden rallies participants to double cancer progress in 'moonshot' kick-off

Vice President Joe Biden led a major step toward completing his “moonshot” task of curing cancer June 29, when he spoke at the first Cancer Moonshot Summit. 

FDA approves test for quicker detection of hospital ‘superbugs’

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a thumbs up to a test hospitals can use to identify certain types of antibiotic-resistant infections more quickly.

CMS’ Conway promises ‘adjustments’ to controversial Part B overhaul

While defending a proposal to test changes to how reimbursements are calculated under Medicare Part B, CMS Chief Medical Officer Patrick Conway, MD, told a panel of federal lawmakers the agency would alter the plan based on concerns from physicians and lawmakers.

HHS aims to reduce backlog of 700,000 Medicare appeals with new rule

A new rule proposed by HHS would attempt to reduce a large backlog of Medicare appeals cases, while encouraging new cases to be settled earlier in the process.

HHS teams with 3,200 doctors to boost coordination in oncology care

Nearly 200 physician’s groups, including 3,200 doctors, and 17 health insurance companies will work together with the government in an effort to provide better cancer care, HHS announced June 29. 

Zika funding bill stalls while transmission fears grow

A $1.1 billion dollar proposal to support anti-Zika virus efforts at federal health agencies failed to advance in the Senate, opening up the possibility no funds will be authorized before September.

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Study reveals differing standards for approval of American, European medical devices

Medical devices play a vital role in patient care, but how they are approved and regulated are vastly different in the United States compared to the European Union.

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.