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.

Initial House budget proposal includes radiologist Medicare pay hike
For 2026, the update would be 75% of the Medicare Economic Index and 10% every year from 2027 onward.
Respected radiologist under investigation for rampant sexual misconduct
Investigators say the doctor “committed sexual acts with almost all the women who entered his office alone."
FDA approves popular ultrasound enhancing agent for pediatric patients
Unlike other UEA options, GE HealthCare's Optison does not contain polyethylene glycol. The FDA approved its use for adult patients back in 1997.
FDA gives AI-powered blood test for obstructive CAD breakthrough device designation
The FDA clearly sees significant potential in a new multi-protein blood test from Prevencio. The company's goal is to gain full approval and get the test in the hands of emergency departments all over the United States.
Healthcare AI newswatch: FDA’s ‘rush’ to the AI altar, AI and Medicare Advantage, OpenAI benchmarks healthcare AI
For some, the FDA is moving too fast in its drive to adopt generative AI agency-wide.

Trump issues sweeping executive order to reduce drug prices

The “most favored nation” policy would reduce the cost of domestic pharmaceuticals to the levels paid in Europe. The executive order also has a sister bill proposed for Congress that would solidify the rule into law.

ASNC, ACC ask US government not to tariff radiopharmaceuticals

The two groups stressed that tariffs would likely impact patient care.

bipartisan house task force on artificial intelligence

Senators introduce bipartisan bill to revive shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program

Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Catherine Cortez Masto are proposing the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act, which would eliminate real-time reporting requirements in AUC.

CVS Health sued by coalition of states alleging Medicaid fraud by pharmacies

A whistleblower lawsuit claims CVS pharmacies have overbilled state Medicaid programs for prescription drugs—a practice allegedly ongoing since 2016. The company denies any wrongdoing.

Optum UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group HQ

UnitedHealth, Amedisys offer divestitures as $3.3B merger advances

Pennant and BrightSpring Health Services have agreed to purchase some healthcare businesses from UnitedHealth and Amedisys. However, it remains unclear whether this will be enough for the DOJ to drop its lawsuit blocking the merger.

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.

Senator introduces bill to boost radiologist pay in Medicare program

The lawmaker is proposing the ‘‘Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025," mirroring Rep. Murphy's House bill.

Radiologists lab coat Capitol Hill Day American College of Radiology ACR

Hundreds of radiologists hit Capitol Hill to fight for Medicare reform

Over 450 lab-coat clad “radvocates” took part in the annual Capitol Hill Day, which included 250 meetings held in congressional offices, ACR said May 7.

Policy & Regulations

Initial House budget proposal includes radiologist Medicare pay hike

Respected radiologist under investigation for rampant sexual misconduct

FDA approves popular ultrasound enhancing agent for pediatric patients

FDA gives AI-powered blood test for obstructive CAD breakthrough device designation

Healthcare AI newswatch: FDA’s ‘rush’ to the AI altar, AI and Medicare Advantage, OpenAI benchmarks healthcare AI