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 sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control
The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block.
FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks
The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.
‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients
Experts have proposed “episode-based cost sharing” to address financial toxicity for healthcare consumers, according to new research published in JACR.
Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists this week gave its 2025 Awards for Advocacy to both Diane Kosenko, with Radiology Associates of Hartford, Conn., and its Minnesota affiliate.
Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging
Reps. Don Davis, Morgan Griffith and Ben Cline recently introduced the Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025.

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Industry Watcher’s Digest

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.

colorectal cancer colon CTC CRC colonoscopy

CT should not be used to screen for colorectal cancer, American College of Physicians charges

Its decision drew concern from the radiology community, which has fought to increase awareness around this alternative to colonoscopy.

Lawmakers propose ‘gold card’ program that exempts physicians from prior authorization requirements

Experts said that radiologists, along with others who order imaging, stand to benefit from the bipartisan proposal.

Medicare spent upward of $3.8B on low-value imaging and cancer screenings in 1 year: MedPAC

“Imaging for nonspecific low back pain” was listed as the most frequently occurring low-value service, impacting upward of 9.3% of beneficiaries.

ACR estimates diagnostic radiology will face 4% Medicare cut, absent congressional action

The college issued a detailed breakdown of the 2024 MPFS, offering insight into the “complex” formula for how much the specialty stands to lose.

GE Healthcare recall TruSignal SpO2 sensors

GE Healthcare recalls certain SpO2 sensors due to risk of serious errors during defibrillation

There is a risk of the devices sending a reduced amount of energy to the heart during defibrillation. More than 7,000 devices are being recalled due to this issue.

FDA announces recall of nearly 8,000 Impella blood pumps due to risk of injury or death in TAVR patients

There have been 30 complaints so far about this issue, including 26 injuries and four deaths.

Abbott recalls delivery sheath for LAA occluder device after 16 injuries

The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall, which means using the devices “may cause serious injuries or death.”

Policy & Regulations

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks

‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients

Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states

Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging