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. 

doctor wrong patient wrong-site surgery medical error malpractice mistake

FDA announces more recalls due to risk of syringe breaking during treatment

Medline already had to recall millions of syringes due to a significant safety risk. Now, multiple procedure kits that include the devices are also being recalled. The issue has been associated with four serious injuries.

Nicole B. Saphier, MD

Opposition forming against radiologist nominee for surgeon general

“Dr. Saphier would be a catastrophic mistake on messaging and communicating with MAHA at a time where the coalition is very fragile,” one opponent says. 

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) have become the wonder drug not only of weight loss, but also for improving cardiovascular health in a growing number of positive cardiovascular trials. The latest study of more than 13,000 patients presented at Heart Rhythm 2026 this week showed the GLP-1 reduce atrial fibrillation (AFib) and survival, even after accounting for the drug’s impact on weight loss.

CMS unveils $50 GLP-1 prescriptions for Medicare patients

The agency said the new program, made possible by Medicare Part D, begins on July 1 and will extend until the end of 2027. For $50 a month, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access popular weight loss drugs, in hopes they will improve overall health.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Iowa hospital sued after allegedly extracting patient’s organs without family consent

In a lawsuit, the daughters of a deceased patient accuse Alegent Health-Community Memorial Hospital of Missouri Valley of medical malpractice and negligence, alleging donations were harvested without proper consultation. It’s alleged that their father was not registered as an organ donor.

insurance insurer payment claim denial reimbursement prior authorization

Large language models offer potential for helping appeal denied radiology claims

Although large language models produce appeals letters that are generally deemed useful by readers, they likely still require a babysitter, according to a new analysis.

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Physician and his practice to pay $6.7M for allegedly performing unnecessary vascular procedures

The physician was accused of pressuring Medicare patients into undergoing treatment they did not need. One patient allegedly received 42 different stents over an eight-year period.

U.S. FDA Sign

FDA adds surgical sponges, strips to list of shortages after Medline recall

Regulators said the shortages of neurosurgery devices are likely to extend until the end of the year. Medline recalled its neurosurgical patties due to a potential toxicity issue. The FDA said it's looking for alternatives. 

I Robot

State sues AI company after bot impersonates doctor

The digital entity gave at least one end-user a phony medical-license number. Unfortunately for the chatbot, that end-user was a state investigator.