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. 

congress capitol hill

Overheard on Capitol Hill: Hospital leaders getting upbraided over ‘charging an insane amount for care’

A handful of health-system CEOs took withering fire this week at a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee. 

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Nearly half of women surveyed still think breast cancer screening starts at 50

The responses also suggested that a significant amount of women believe mammograms start before 40, highlighting a gap in screening policy knowledge.

Mosaic Neo mitral valve from Medtronic

FDA approves next-gen mitral valve from Medtronic

The Mosaic Neo mitral bioprosthesis can be implanted through sternotomy, minimally invasive cardiac surgery or robotic access. 

healthcare surprise billing statement payment

Radiologists implore HHS to punish payers who undermine surprise-billing protections

Over 100 specialty societies and state medical associations wrote to Health and Human Services and other departments to voice their growing frustration with the No Surprises Act. 

hospital at home HaH

6 things the hospital-at-home model needs to scale up nationally

Earlier this year Congress extended CMS’s hospital-at-home waiver for five years via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. With that bold stroke, ‘HaH’ services became eligible for Medicare reimbursement through September of 2030. 

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Nonprofit physician support program faces lawsuit from two docs who say it irreparably damaged their careers

Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), a contractor with the state health department, is accused of trapping two physicians into mental health treatment as a condition of maintaining their medical residency jobs. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking class action status. 

Michigan has become the 20th state to opt out from federal regulations that require physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The move was made to ensure access to value-based, high-quality care across the state, but it is being opposed by the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) and several other physician groups. Image from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA)

FTC settles antitrust lawsuit against private equity-backed anesthesiology chain

Federal regulators alleged that U.S. Anesthesia Partners—a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowes—engaged in a “roll-up scheme” in Texas that effectively eliminated the competition. The company denies the allegations, but has agreed to undisclosed terms that would see the lawsuit resolved. 

B. Braun Medical’s Lactated Ringer’s Injections

IV fluids recalled over possible contamination—patients face risk of vascular complications

Particulate matter may be present in certain 1-liter containers of B. Braun Medical's Lactated Ringer's Injections. If this enters a patient's circulatory system, it could lead to a series of adverse events.