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.

CMS increases reimbursement for AI-powered heart failure platform

Ultromics thinks the significant payment increase will help ramp up utilization among U.S. healthcare providers.

Recor Medical's Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System

FDA approves first renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension

The system, designed for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are unresponsive to medication, uses ultrasound ablation to target nerves in the renal arteries, increasing blood flow. This approval comes just months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of the system.

CMS declines to issue imaging agent reimbursement fix in final hospital outpatient payment rule

The agency received “considerable interest” in a comment solicitation on this topic, with respondents providing “various insights and potential policy changes.”

The American public understands that cutting Medicare harms everyone

Radiology Business Management Association leaders contend that slashing Medicare reimbursement "ignores overwhelming public wisdom."

American Heart Association ‘enthusiastically’ joins other cardiology groups in push for new, independent medical board

AHA members have voted to throw their full support behind the efforts to establish a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine.

FDA announces Class I recall of nearly 2,000 catheter kits

Medical facilities and distributors have been advised to immediately discontinue the use of these devices due to a significant labeling issue.

US Senators release draft plan to partially protect radiologists from Medicare cuts

ACR said it appreciates the proposal, which is part of the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act.

Hospital faulted after 20-week MRI delay, missing opportunity for earlier diagnosis of terminal cancer

Dunedin Hospital has since ordered an additional MRI scanner to address lagging wait times and is updating processes to better track cancer patients' progress.

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