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. 

GE HealthCare

GE HealthCare expects $500M revenue reduction from tariffs

Despite newly implemented tariffs, the manufacturer says it was profitable in Q1 of 2025, but a greater impact on its operations looms later this year. 

Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Warren fears $10B private equity buyout of Walgreens will create ‘pharmacy deserts’

The Massachusetts senator is asking buyer Sycamore Partners for certain assurances, including that it won’t saddle the struggling pharmacy chain with even more debt and indiscriminately close retail locations. 

U.S. Supreme Court building SCOTUS

Supreme Court sides with HHS in hospital payment dispute

In a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court affirmed the formula used by the federal government to calculate Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments is legal and consistent with the law passed by Congress. 

artificial intelligence industry

Trump’s pharma tariffs could raise prices by 12.9%, report shows

A leaked report from Ernst & Young says President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on drugs would stifle domestic manufacturing and force the industry to take on an additional $51 billion in annual costs.

Is AI just what the doctor ordered for the radiologist shortage? Yes and no

AI shines in radiology when tasked with interpreting images of patients whose odds of illness are either very high or very low. In these cases, the technology could help mitigate burnout and supplement staffing. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. RFK HHS secretary

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block. 

FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks

The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.

Ron DeSantis

Gov. DeSantis accused of diverting $10M in Medicaid funds to charity run by wife

The Florida governor claims the money was not part of a settlement the state made with Centene, and that the insurer donated the cash as a “cherry on top.” 

Around the web

Gerald G. Blackwell, MD, MBA, MedAxiom's president and CEO, examined how different cardiology employment models look today compared to even a decade ago.

The piece in question, which features a red heart-shaped balloon, has an unusual origin story, even by Banksy’s standards. 

More than 40 U.S. healthcare organizations are urging Congress not to make sweeping Medicaid cuts that could result in approximately 7.6 million Americans losing health insurance.