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.

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date
Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.
Breached Change Healthcare server lacked multifactor authentication, UnitedHealth CEO admits
UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told the Senate Finance Committee that systems have been rebuilt “from scratch” in light of the oversight.
FDA announces recall of SonarMed airway monitors after injury
Medtronic brand SonarMed airway monitors and acoustic sensors are being recalled due to a risk of breathing obstruction and lung tissue damage.
‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use
U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?
Philips settles cases over faulty sleep apnea machines for $1.1B
The litigation stems from a 2023 recall of CPAP machines and ventilators that caused users to inhale pieces of foam during use. The faulty units were linked to at least 561 deaths.

$4.1B savings for Medicare thanks to shared savings program

Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP) saw its best financial performance in 2020, with 513 participating ACOs saving the CMS more than $4 billion gross and almost $2 billion net.

August 26, 2021

More than 2.5M gained health coverage during special open enrollment

A special enrollment period implemented by the Biden administration saw more than 2.5 million people sign up for health insurance.

August 11, 2021

Healthcare system still suing patients after being sold

A healthcare system in Tennessee is still suing patients for uncollected debt even after it’s been sold and some of its facilities were repurposed by the buyer.

July 26, 2021

Only 5.6% of hospitals comply with price transparency rule

The vast majority of hospitals are not following through on a recent requirement to publish their list prices online, according to a recent study from PatientRightsAdvocate.com.

July 19, 2021

Intensive Care Unit sign inside of a hospital

CMS may charge hospitals for not posting prices online

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed charging hospitals that fail to post their list prices online as required.

July 19, 2021

Johnson & Johnson settles opioid case with New York for $230M

Johnson & Johnson will pay New York State $230 million in a settlement over a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer for its role in the opioid epidemic.

June 28, 2021

Biden administration reverses Trump-era healthcare discrimination rule

The Department of Health and Human Services has overturned a Trump-era rule that would have allowed healthcare providers to discriminate against patients based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

May 12, 2021

Biden administration waives protections for COVID-19 vaccines

The Biden administration has backed the waiving of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, supporting a proposal from the World Trade Organization to improve worldwide vaccinations against the deadly virus.

May 5, 2021

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date

Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.