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.

Savings impact of alternative payment models proves difficult to project

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation savings projections keep moving, underscoring just how difficult it is to estimate the impact of untested alternative payment models, according to a recent analysis from Avalere Health.

January 20, 2020

Largest physician specialty group endorses Medicare for all

The American College of Physicians, which represents 159,000 internists in the U.S., has endorsed a single-payer American healthcare system.

January 20, 2020

Trump worries about healthcare poll, regrets enacting vaping restrictions

HHS Secretary Alex Azar took some heat from President Trump after a recent poll showed Democrats leading when it came to the issue of healthcare.

January 20, 2020

Medical researchers must understand risks associated with AI

AI is poised to change the healthcare industry forever—but risks remain that researchers must take seriously.

January 17, 2020

Hospital, health system model changes drove M&A in 2019

Changing models across hospitals and health systems helped drive mergers and acquisition activity in 2019, according to a new report from Kaufman Hall.

January 16, 2020

Without individual mandate, the ACA chugs along

The Affordable Care Act has remained strong despite the lack of an individual mandate, which was effectively stripped in the 2018 budget by Republicans.

January 16, 2020

UPMC designates $1B investment in life sciences

The innovation and venture capital arm of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is planning to invest $1 billion into life sciences to develop new drugs, diagnostics and devices over the next four years.

January 15, 2020

More healthcare M&A on the horizon in 2020

Executives in the healthcare space are expecting more M&A activity in 2020 compared to 2019, according to a new outlook from KPMG.

January 14, 2020

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.