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.

White House to end civil service protections for 50,000 federal workers
President Donald Trump's administration said an executive order to implement Schedule F, to make it easier to fire federal works that don't align with its agenda of "draining the swamp," is forthcoming.
Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs
The American Nurses Association is warning that eliminating support for the training and research offered by the National Institute of Nursing Research could be devastating to the public, as many programs support specialties such as maternal and mental health.
FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns
A catheter sheath detached during use and was left in the patient’s body. It was successfully removed, but the FDA said it is now evaluating the potential risk to others going forward. There is no official recall at this time.
FDA clears new cold cathode tomosynthesis system
Cold cathode tubes make for smaller systems that are lighter in weight and require less energy to operate, also resulting in decreased costs.
Arkansas the 30th state to pass legislation bolstering coverage for breast imaging
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 123 into law on April 14 following its passage by the state legislature, weeks after Virginia passed a similar bill.

FDA clears AI for breaking down lung CT images into subsegments

LungQ guides pulmonologists as they work to access peripheral locations within the lungs.

Medicare money payment reimbursement dollar decline george washington

Cardiologists speak out about reimbursement cuts, say Congress ‘left clinicians holding the bag’

When Congress passed its latest continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown, it provided no relief for cardiologists and other physicians impacted by ongoing Medicare reimbursement cuts. The American College of Cardiology responded to this development with yet another plea for change.

Advocates warn of supply chain 'crisis’ that could hamper MRI availability

The administration is reportedly mulling a sale of the Federal Helium Reserve System, a move that could hinder the flow of helium to imaging providers.

Radiologists were already nearly 99% in-network before the No Surprises Act took effect

The specialty has improved upon its out-of-network rate since 2007, falling from nearly 13% down to 1% as of 2021, experts wrote in JACR.

Congress averts shutdown but fails to pass Medicare pay fix for radiologists, other physicians

Physician advocacy groups criticized the decision while holding out hope that lawmakers could remedy the 3.4% cut to the conversion factor in the future.

Bipartisan senators introduce ‘major’ healthcare bill seeking price transparency from imaging centers

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the Health Care PRICE Transparency Act 2.0 would require the public disclosure of all negotiated rates and cash prices.

FDA flags defective packaging of Exactech shoulder joint devices

Equinoxe Shoulder System joint replacement devices have shipped in bags missing a crucial oxygen barrier, potentially putting patients at risk.

Government watchdog takes up FDA recall inquiry following report

The reporting detailed Philips' delay in issuing a recall of its breathing machines, drawing the ire of two U.S. Senators who have been pushing for an investigation into how the FDA handles oversight.

Policy & Regulations

White House to end civil service protections for 50,000 federal workers

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs

FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns

FDA clears new cold cathode tomosynthesis system

Arkansas the 30th state to pass legislation bolstering coverage for breast imaging