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.

HHS ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security
Mass firings on Tuesday led to thousands of workers at the CDC, FDA and NIH losing their jobs, including those working on public health initiatives and vaccine approvals.
Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests
The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 is endorsed by 30 trade groups including the Society of Interventional Radiology and MGMA.
Healthcare AI newswatch: Apple’s AI Doctor, AI’s expectant medical specialties, AI-watching teens, more
Apple’s AI Doctor had better be one good virtual physician.
California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk
The proposed “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” named after the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny necessary care to patients. The lawyer who proposed the measure said the controversial name was chosen to garner public attention.
Society of Interventional Radiology seeks to bolster research funding for the specialty
During their annual meeting being held this week in Nashville, the society announced the launch of the SIR Foundation Endowment.

UnitedHealthcare sued by 17 hospitals in $145M dispute over out-of-network reimbursement

The hospitals all belong to HCA Healthcare, which claims it is required by law to care for emergency patients regardless of their medical coverage status.

Cardiovascular societies support Medicare coverage for renal denervation

CMS is expected to release a proposed national coverage determination decision memo by July.

New FDA-cleared algorithm could improve fetal anomaly detection on ultrasound

The module helps automate the detection of eight common fetal anomalies using seven routine ultrasound views of the heart, brain and abdomen.

Report: UnitedHealth under investigation by DOJ for Medicare Advantage upcoding

According to the Wall Street Journal, the DOJ is looking into whether the insurer is responsible for billing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for patient diagnoses not applicable to the actual care a patient will need, in an effort to boost monthly payments received by the agency.

FDA approves first therapy for very rare lipid storage disorder

Ctexli (chenodiol) can now be prescribed to patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, a condition caused by a genetic mutation that leads to cholesterol buildup around vital organs.

money maze benjamin franklin reimbursement medicare

Radiology societies demand moratorium on enforcement of ‘concerning’ Medicare decision

Societies representing neuro, interventional and spine radiologists are concerned 3 MACs do not understand the nuances of a key minimally invasive pain procedure.

FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary

These safety issues have been linked to more than 800 injuries and two deaths. It is possible, the FDA warned, that some patients may require a device to be removed and replaced.

FDA ends semaglutide shortage, closing the door on compounded Wegovy, Ozempic

The years-long shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic, two popular prescription-only semaglutide injections, is officially over.

Policy & Regulations

HHS ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security

Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests

Healthcare AI newswatch: Apple’s AI Doctor, AI’s expectant medical specialties, AI-watching teens, more

California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk

Society of Interventional Radiology seeks to bolster research funding for the specialty