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.

Moderna CFO out of job after two days

Moderna cited “an ongoing internal investigation into certain matters” in its announcement.

May 11, 2022

How radiology should prepare for AUC clinical decision support reporting requirements

An overview for the coming January 2023 mandate to use clinical decision support for all advanced imaging orders.

May 10, 2022

DOJ now investigating Cerebral for ADHD prescribing practices

As a result, the company stated it will pause the practice of prescribing controlled substances as a treatment for ADHD such as Adderall and Ritalin for new patients starting May 9.

May 10, 2022

FDA limits use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine over blood clot risk

The move limits the vaccine to individuals 18 and older for whom other other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, as well as those 18 and older who would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

May 6, 2022

VIDEO: Preparing for radiology appropriate use criteria clinical decision support reporting requirements

Lisa Mead, PSO executive director, Strategic Radiology, spoke at the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) 2022 meeting on radiology practices being prepared for the January 2023 deadline to have appropriate use criteria clinical decision support (AUC/CDS) software operational.

May 3, 2022

Biden responds to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade

President Joe Biden has responded to a leaked draft majority opinion that reveals the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the court case that allowed legal abortion care in the U.S.

May 3, 2022

Prior authorization under fire in Inspector General investigation

An investigation from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans revealed concerns about access to care.

April 29, 2022

More than 400 nursing homes expected to close this year

The 400+ closures projected for 2022 are nearly double the next highest year, when 220 nursing homes closed in 2019.

April 27, 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.