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.

Report: UnitedHealth under investigation by DOJ for Medicare Advantage upcoding
According to the Wall Street Journal, federal authorities are probing claims that the insurer billed health programs for billions of dollars in undelivered patient care.
FDA approves first therapy for very rare lipid storage disorder
Ctexli (chenodiol) can now be prescribed to patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, a condition caused by a genetic mutation that leads to cholesterol buildup around vital organs.
FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary
These safety issues have been linked to more than 800 injuries and two deaths. It is possible, the FDA warned, that some patients may require a device to be removed and replaced.
FDA ends semaglutide shortage, closing the door on compounded Wegovy, Ozempic
The years-long shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic, two popular prescription-only semaglutide injections, is officially over.
American Heart Association highlights importance of NIH as battle over Trump funding cuts continues
“Now more than ever, we must recognize that our country’s leadership in groundbreaking medical research spurs scientific innovation, improves public health and creates new innovations that save and improve lives nationwide,” Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, explained in a statement.

Calif. payors, providers unite for ACO initiative

Blue Shield of California, Greater Newport Physicians and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced a three-year accountable care initiative designed to provide integrated healthcare to approximately 11,000 Blue Shield HMO members in Orange County, Calif.

2012 CMIO Compensation Survey: Those earning big bonuses, highest pay

Seventeen percent of this years CMIO Compensation Survey respondents earn a salary of $300,000 or more. Here is a closer look at said group.

Health Affairs: Colorado's bumpy road to bipartisan health insurance exchange

An article published in the February issue of Health Affairs, "Colorados Health Insurance Exchange: How One State Has So Far Forged A Bipartisan Path Through The Partisan Wilderness," details the western states experience.

AdvaMed looks beyond device-tax repeal to urge broad tax code reform

The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has come up with a set of principles on tax reform that, if enacted, would create jobs, grow the economy, develop new cures and treatments and help ensure Americas global leadership in medical technology. The group made the claim in a Feb. 7 news release.

Greenway Medical goes public

Health IT vendor Greenway Medical went public Feb. 2, offering an initial public offering will make available approximately 6.7 million shares of common stock at $10 per share. 

Leavitt Partners creates panel of health IT leaders

Leavitt Partners has created FuturePanel, a group of healthcare thought leaders to inform, refine and guide the healthcare intelligence shared by the Salt Lake City-based firm.

2012 CMIO Compensation Survey: A look at multi-hospital organization CMIOs

The results are in from the 2012 CMIO Compensation Survey. Were bringing you several articles with more facts and figures from this year's results. First up: CMIOs who work at a multi-hospital organization/integrated delivery network.

Survey: EU hospitals spent $3.2B on IT in 2010

Hospitals in western European countries spent $3.2 billion on health IT in 2010, and the European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry (COCIR) estimated that spending will grow to $3.5 billion annually by 2015, based on results of a survey conducted by the Brussels-based nonprofit trade association.

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

American Heart Association highlights importance of NIH as battle over Trump funding cuts continues

“Now more than ever, we must recognize that our country’s leadership in groundbreaking medical research spurs scientific innovation, improves public health and creates new innovations that save and improve lives nationwide,” Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, explained in a statement.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist questions FDA’s approval process for high-risk medical devices

The technology used to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular disease is always evolving, keeping FDA officials quite busy. But have the agency's standards been slipping in recent years? A cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explored that very question.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA announces new recall of Johnson & Johnson heart pumps over safety concerns

No devices need to be returned at this time. However, the FDA warned, using these heart pumps without reviewing the updated instructions could result in "serious injury or death.”