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 PBMs and GPOs for insulin price collusion
In a statement announcing its lawsuit, the FTC said Caremark, Optum RX and Express Scripts benefit from manufacturer rebates and ignore lower-costing drugs as a way to artificially increase prices.
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.

How one billionaire is fighting hospital monopolies

John Arnold, a Texas billionaire, has a gear to grind with big hospital monopolies.

June 14, 2022

HHS launches $1M competition for primary care innovation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a competition to find new innovations in patient access to primary care––with a total of $1 million in prizes attached.

June 13, 2022

Bipartisan gun violence proposal earns applause from medical groups

The proposal comes after several healthcare CEOs signed onto a letter demanding action from Congress on gun violence.

June 13, 2022

AMA maps out 5-point ‘road to recovery’ for frazzled physicians

Supporting telehealth, reforming Medicare, fixing the prior authorization process—these are three of five goals the American Medical Association is pursuing in an expansive new program.

June 11, 2022

Healthcare CEOs urge Congress to act on gun violence

Among the CEOs who signed the letter are a handful of prominent healthcare leaders.

June 9, 2022

Novavax NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine myocarditis

FDA committee backs Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine despite heart damage concerns

The committee's approval comes days after the FDA shared details on a small number of trial participants who developed myocarditis or pericarditis after receiving the vaccine.

June 9, 2022

HCA’s latest deals on pause by FTC

The news comes just after HCA Healthcare was hit with a second antitrust lawsuit for anticompetitive actions.

June 8, 2022

HCA Healthcare hit with lawsuit over monopoly allegations

HCA Healthcare was recently hit with its second antitrust lawsuit — this time from the city of Brevard, North Carolina, for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive schemes.

June 7, 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.