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. 

WEDI survey indicates slow ICD-10 progress

A new survey from the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) on IDC-10 preparations finds a disturbing lack of industry progress during the past year.

URAC seeks comments on its ACO accreditation

Accreditation firm URAC is seeking public comment on standards and measures for a new accreditation program being developed for accountable care organizations.

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Five things to know about health IT this week

From breaches to the long list of issues discussed by the federal HIT Policy Committee, a lot happened in the health IT arena this week. Here's what you need to know.

ONC's requested 2014 budget to build on existing momentum

The Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT requested an increase of $16.7 million above its fiscal year 2012 enacted level. The $77.9 million requested for fiscal year 2014 includes $20.6 million in budget authority, $56.3 million in public health service evaluation funds and $ million in certified EHR technology fees to support program activities.

Health Coalition Supports Legislation to Curb Medical Lawsuit Abuse

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2013 -- The Health Coalition on Liability and Access today endorsed legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that will curb medical lawsuit abuse and help ensure continued patient access to care.The Standard of Care Protection Act (H.R. 1473), a bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), is the first piece of legislation in the House of Representatives in the 113th Congress to address our nation's broken liability system.  It ensures that no provisions of federal health care law may be inappropriately used to create new threats for medical liability litigation in the United States.

HHS releases 2014 budget

President Obama’s budget for the Department of Health & Human Services for fiscal year 2014 focuses on improving patient safety, building understanding and treatment of mental health problems, advancing scientific knowledge, examining new models for care and payment and contributing to a reduction of the nation’s debt.

AmeriHealth New Jersey and Cooper University Health Care partner to transform health care in New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J., April 10, 2013 -- In a highly innovative move, unprecedented in New Jersey, a health insurer and a hospital system -- AmeriHealth New Jersey and Cooper University Health Care -- announce today that Cooper will acquire a 20 percent interest in AmeriHealth New Jersey. This venture intends to transform health care in the state by increasing quality and lowering costs through a more highly coordinated care model.

CMS announces grant funding to support Navigators

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has new funding available to support Navigators in federally facilitated and state partnership marketplaces. Navigators are individuals and entities that will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans and public programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

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