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.

FTC sues drug middlemen over insulin prices, puts others on notice
The FTC alleges that pharmacy benefit managers have set up a system where they get rich, while patients are forced to pay rising insulin costs. The agency also called out drug manufacturers such as Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, saying their own actions have raised serious concerns.
Study ranks US health system dead last among wealthy nations
Low rankings for accessibility and outcomes earned the country the overall lowest ranking in an analysis of healthcare systems across 10 nations.
Landmark opioid trial in Baltimore set to begin; Johnson & Johnson settles to avoid jury
Six companies have settled with the city for as total of over $402M. Two remaining defendants, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, will test their luck in court.
Coalition of 86 healthcare groups calls for change to Affordable Care Act rule
In a letter to Congress, the groups are urging lawmakers to support HR 9001 and lift the ban on physician-run hospitals.
FDA issues recall on infusion pump parts due to risk of uncontrollable drug flow
Due to a risk of fatal overdose, the recall is labeled as the most serious of its type. While no patients have died, two have reportedly been injured.

WHO renames monkeypox disease

Human monkeypox disease was given its name in 1970, before WHO established best practices for naming diseases in 2015.

November 28, 2022

Digital health startup receives FDA clearance for Parkinson’s Disease applications on Apple Watch

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 501(k) marketing clearance for the prescription mobile app Parky for monitoring Parkinson’s Disease.

November 23, 2022

Lawmakers urge DOJ to act on anti-trans threats at children’s hospitals

Dozens of lawmakers banded together to urge the Department of Justice to act on rising anti-transgender threats made against the nation’s children’s hospitals.

November 22, 2022

New signups rise 40% on healthcare marketplace

In the first few weeks of open enrollment, new signups on the healthcare marketplace, healthcare.gov, are up nearly 40%, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

November 21, 2022

UnitedHealth, AARP team up for hearing aid savings

UnitedHealthcare has teamed up with AARP to administer hearing aid solutions, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

November 18, 2022

AMA opposes criminalization of pregnancy loss

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a number of new policy adoptions, including several in reaction to the recently changed reproductive health laws in the United States.

November 16, 2022

PHE for COVID-19 will continue past January

The public health emergency enacted during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue past January 2023.

November 15, 2022

Emergency hospital transfer of STEMI patients might be expedited with a hospital-level 'Call 911 protocol'

The AHA Mission: Lifeline Program was designed to reduce STEMI patient transfer times, but response times still often lag, and new protocols may be needed to expedite STAT transfers.

November 15, 2022

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

FTC sues drug middlemen over insulin prices, puts others on notice

The FTC alleges that pharmacy benefit managers have set up a system where they get rich, while patients are forced to pay rising insulin costs. The agency also called out drug manufacturers such as Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, saying their own actions have raised serious concerns.

Cardiovascular Business

Cath lab techs and nurses see new normal with post-COVID pay

In the post-COVID era, wages for permanent RNs are rising, and wages for travelers are decreasing. A new report tracked these trends and more.

Cardiovascular Business

Merit Medical to purchase Cook Medical’s lead management portfolio for $210M

Two medical device companies have announced a transaction that could shake up the U.S. electrophysiology market.