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.

Maryland enacts sweeping ban on noncompetes for all healthcare professionals
The new law will ban noncompetes in the state for all healthcare workers who provide care, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?
This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.
FDA set to evaluate use of ‘ecstasy’ for treating PTSD
The party drug could soon be prescribed, in conjunction with psychological interventions, as a treatment for mental health disorders.
FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths
Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications.
Rand releases bracing analysis of hospital prices; AHA repudiates approach, methodology
The Rand Corporation is reporting that, in 2022, employers and private insurers paid hospitals an average 254% more than what Medicare would have spent for the same services in the same facilities.

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

Former Aetna CEO cites ‘tension’ in CVS board changes

The former CEO of health insurer Aetna, which was acquired by CVS Health for $69 billion at the end of 2018, says he is being pushed off the board of the combined company.

February 3, 2020

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?

This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death

The recall includes specific lots of five different medical devices used to treat stroke and other neurovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.