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. 

HeartMate 3 LVAD abbott

No aspirin, no problem: FDA approves key update for Abbott heart pumps

Patients have typically been told to take aspirin and an oral anticoagulant following treatment to help combat the risk of blood clots. Now, they can skip the aspirin altogether.

noncompete contract clause employment pen sign

Federal judge strikes down FTC ban of most noncompete clauses

Judge Ada Brown contends that the commission lacked evidence on why such a "sweeping ban" was necessary, rather than “targeting specific, harmful noncompetes.” 

pharmaceutical drug approval process

Drugmaker to ‘challenge’ FDA after only receiving tentative approval for inhaled PAH treatment

An exclusivity agreement is stopping Liquidia Corporation from gaining full FDA approval of its new inhalation powder for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The company said it is disappointed with the agency's decision and plans to "take quick action."

wheelchair

DOJ finalizes rule aimed at improving disabled patients’ access to radiology services

“Disability rights are human rights, and every policy is a disability policy issue," U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said in a statement after the announcement. 

Medicare money payment

CMS expands coverage pathway for emerging technologies, drawing imaging industry criticism

The agency "doesn’t go far enough" to help seniors depending on breakthrough diagnostics, said AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker. 

Ron Blankstein, MD, FACC, FASNC, MSCCT, FASPC, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a professor of medicine and radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains why Medicare is proposing increased coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) payments to hospitals.

Higher payments for CCTA could bring considerable change to cardiology

Ron Blankstein, MD, explains how and why Medicare is proposing an increase to hospital payments for coronary CT angiography.

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Reduce, reuse, recycle: How cath labs can lower cardiology’s colossal carbon footprint

Cath labs, like radiology suites and operating rooms, are leading contributors to the world’s growing carbon footprint.

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FDA approves hydrogel to stop severe, life-threatening bleeding

Traumagel is applied to wounds using a syringe and can be used even on traumatic injuries, such as those from gunshots.