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.

High-level briefing: Rural healthcare downs & ups | Healthcare affordability in focus | Viruses to watch like a hawk in 2026 | more
Where have the missing rural American hospitals gone? And where is rural healthcare headed? The discussion is on in Washington and elsewhere.
CMS releases ‘improper payment’ data, showing a small rise for Medicare Advantage
Traditional fee-for-service Medicare saw a slight dip in improper payments, which are usually associated with documentation errors and now outright fraud. CMS also released data on Medicaid and the CHIP program.
Software glitch prompts FDA recall of popular PET systems
The recall was issued due to the potential for the systems to produce artifacts during PET exams.
Most urgent head CTs for older adults provide little value
New findings suggest that the majority of older adults (65+) with lower risk head injuries do not have positive findings on CT imaging.
Radiologists say hospital physician-practice acquisitions driving up healthcare costs
SIR, AdvaMed, Philips, Abbott and others in the Office-Based Facility Association contend more must be done to reverse these trends and protect private practices.

High-level briefing: Rural healthcare downs & ups | Healthcare affordability in focus | Viruses to watch like a hawk in 2026 | more

Where have the missing rural American hospitals gone? And where is rural healthcare headed? The discussion is on in Washington and elsewhere.

Medicare Advantage Part C clipboard payment

CMS releases ‘improper payment’ data, showing a small rise for Medicare Advantage

Traditional fee-for-service Medicare saw a slight dip in improper payments, which are usually associated with documentation errors and now outright fraud. CMS also released data on Medicaid and the CHIP program.

Software glitch prompts FDA recall of popular PET systems

The recall was issued due to the potential for the systems to produce artifacts during PET exams.

Most urgent head CTs for older adults provide little value

New findings suggest that the majority of older adults (65+) with lower risk head injuries do not have positive findings on CT imaging.

Radiologists say hospital physician-practice acquisitions driving up healthcare costs

SIR, AdvaMed, Philips, Abbott and others in the Office-Based Facility Association contend more must be done to reverse these trends and protect private practices.

Missouri state house capitol Jefferson City

Missouri becomes latest plaintiff in lawsuits against PBMs, drug companies over skyrocketing insulin prices

The Missouri complaint mirrors those brought by the Federal Trade Commission, the state of Texas and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, among others, in that it’s focused on alleged collusion between pharmacy benefit managers and drug companies to control the price of insulin.

warning safety alert recall healthcare issue

FDA issues warning over use of Boston Scientific stents after 167 injuries, 3 deaths

Boston Scientific sent all known customers a letter on December 19, 2025 alerting them to an issue with certain AXIOS Stent and Electrocautery Enhanced Delivery Systems. During deployment, the stents may not expand. This can cause severe, potentially life-threatening injury to patients. All recalled stents must be removed from clinical settings immediately.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) system

FDA confirms recalls for Abbott CGM sensors—new lawsuit alleges company concealed information

The FDA finalized four Class I recalls related to safety concerns first reported by Abbott in November. Meanwhile, a Florida man who uses these sensors to manage his diabetes has already filed a lawsuit over the issue.