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.

4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI
With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.
FDA recalls infant incubators due to risk of door falling off
A loose screw on the Giraffe OmniBed is to blame. With updated use instructions and repairs, the incubators are safe to use.
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.
Kentucky AG launches criminal probe after conscious man nearly has organs harvested
Three years ago Anthony Hoover was declared brain dead—until he woke up on the operating room table, moments before his organs were removed. His story has spurred a criminal investigation by Kentucky's attorney general.
FDA announces Class I recall of ventilators after 3 patient injuries
An unexpected nickel coating on the breathing circuits of Percussionaire Phasitron 5 ventilators is being blamed for the recall. The FDA is asking providers to stop using them immediately.

Editorial: Americans ill-informed about ACA thanks to Democrats, Republicans

The mass confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act—which includes rules forbidding insurance companies from denying coverage and promotes free preventative care, among many other provisions—is the fault of both Democrats and Republicans, according to The Hill.

October 13, 2014

Massachusetts is first state to require price transparency

On Oct. 1, Massachusetts became the first state to require insurers to post real-time prices of procedures and visits, reports WBUR.

October 8, 2014

New version of HealthCare.gov goes live

Federal officials have released a new version of HealthCare.gov, which features a streamlined application process for those signing up for the first time, reports ABC News.

October 8, 2014

2,610 hospitals hit with 30-day readmission penalties

Medicare is expected to cut payments for a record-breaking 2,610 hospitals because of failure to reign in 30-day readmissions, reports Kaiser Health News.

October 6, 2014

Editorial: Let vets receive care where they choose

Veterans have been waiting three months or longer for initial physician appointments during a time when the healthcare ecosystem outside the Department of Veteran Affairs struggles to fill beds and open slots.

October 4, 2014

HealthCare.gov will allow consumers to “window shop”

Entering year two, HealthCare.gov continues to evolve. The sign-up portal soon will allow customers to “window shop” for health plans prior to starting the enrollment process, reports Bloomberg.

October 4, 2014

On HealthCare.gov anniversary, Republicans still bring up tech issues

Republicans continue to cite HealthCare.gov’s rocky launch when making the case against the Affordable Care Act, reports the Washington Post.

October 1, 2014

U.S. District Court rules against ACA tax credits

Judge Ronald White of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has ruled that the Affordable Care Act does not authorize federal exchanges to issue premium tax credits, reports Health Affairs.

October 1, 2014

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI

With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.

Cardiovascular Business

Q&A: Why are cardiovascular devices involved in so many recalls? FDA policies may be to blame

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist compensation still rising, especially in invasive and interventional cardiology

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.