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.

Over 300 groups urge Senate GOP to reject Medicaid cuts
In an open letter, advocacy groups said the budget proposal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would “shred our nation’s social safety net.”
HHS to cut 10,000 jobs during 'dramatic restructuring'
The agency said it plans to reduce staff by 25% and consolidate 28 divisions into 15. However, it said Medicare and Medicaid will remain operational.
Trump selects GOP general counsel for HHS Inspector General
Thomas March Bell has been officially nominated and now faces the Senate for confirmation. Bell has a decades-long history working as a Republican staffer.
ACC urges RFK Jr. to make Medicare reform a priority, warns against mass layoffs
The American College of Cardiology has sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that outlines some of the organization’s central priorities and concerns.
ISIS is not launching terrorist attacks against hospitals, FBI says
Trade groups released a statement denying the claim's credibility, but they fear some may be inspired by a widely shared social media post.

Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers

The rapid rise of CCTA represents one of cardiology’s biggest ongoing trends, but most primary care providers are still not embracing a CT-first strategy.

FTC inquiry pauses $615M healthcare staffing merger

The merger between Aya Healthcare and Cross Country Healthcare was finalized in December 2024 and was expected to close in the first half of this year. It's unclear what information the Federal Trade Commission requested from both companies.

FDA sued over ‘reckless and arbitrary’ semaglutide decision

The Outsourcing Facilities Association, a Texas-based trade group, is alleging that supply issues still remain for Ozempic and Wegovy. The group believes the FDA has ignored those issues.

Trump gives HHS 90 days to create healthcare price transparency plan

Tuesday's executive order issued by Trump builds upon a previous order and the No Surprises Act to strengthen federal law.

Senate Judiciary Chair demands UnitedHealth turn over Medicare records

The request comes from a letter by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who told the company to deliver records on compliance audits and medical chart reviews.

VA releases another 1,400 employees as FDA invites 300 back to work

As Elon Musk’s DOGE continues to push for staffing cuts, it appears the FDA may have let too many probationary workers go.

UnitedHealthcare sued by 17 hospitals in $145M dispute over out-of-network reimbursement

The hospitals all belong to HCA Healthcare, which claims it is required by law to care for emergency patients regardless of their medical coverage status.

Report: UnitedHealth under investigation by DOJ for Medicare Advantage upcoding

According to the Wall Street Journal, the DOJ is looking into whether the insurer is responsible for billing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for patient diagnoses not applicable to the actual care a patient will need, in an effort to boost monthly payments received by the agency.

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

ACC urges RFK Jr. to make Medicare reform a priority, warns against mass layoffs

The American College of Cardiology has sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that outlines some of the organization’s central priorities and concerns.

Radiology Business

FDA announces recall of Medtronic interventional radiology devices after 17 injuries, 4 deaths

One product is being pulled from the market, and the other is receiving updated instructions for use.

AI in Healthcare

What federal regulators can learn from the states about AI oversight

If the Trump administration continues taking a laissez-faire stance toward AI—including AI used in healthcare—why not let the states go it alone on regulating the technology?