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.

Hospitals, ambulatory care centers hired 34K workers last month

U.S. healthcare added almost 36,000 jobs in January, with most of the hiring being done by ambulatory health providers (around 23,000 new jobs) and hospitals (10,000).

February 10, 2020

60 health systems sign Epic’s letter against interoperability rule

An HHS rule that would enable patients to have free access to their medical records through third-party digital apps is facing a tough battle, with one of the biggest EMR vendor companies, Epic Systems, leading the opposition.

February 6, 2020

E-cigarette rules go into effect

New rules about e-cigarettes went into effect Feb. 6, with a partial ban on some flavored products in the U.S. market.

February 6, 2020

CMS wants patients to know the cost of Part D drugs in real time in proposed rule

CMS has issued a proposed rule and Advance Notice affecting Medicare Advantages and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

February 6, 2020

Top 10 biggest health insurance companies

The top 10 largest insurers collectively wrote 51.8% of all healthcare premiums in the U.S. market in 2018.

February 5, 2020

Trump asks for bill to lower drug prices in State of the Union address

President Donald Trump gave his annual State of the Union address on Feb. 4, calling on Congress to take on sky-high prescription drug prices.

February 5, 2020

In Iowa caucuses, healthcare issue takes center stage

Healthcare was top of mind among Iowa caucus-goers as the start of the 2020 election kicked off in the state on Feb. 3. About 60% of Democrats at the Iowa caucuses said they support eliminating private health insurance and moving to a single-payer healthcare system.

February 4, 2020

Coronavirus is deadly and expensive

The novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has become the world’s most expensive epidemic, according to data from Learnbonds.com. In fact, the virus, which has been compared to SARS and MERS, is expected to cost China about 2% of its GDP during the first quarter of 2020, or $62 billion.

February 4, 2020

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.