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.

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.
AI newswatch: Lifecyle AI oversight, data matters, AI vs. animals, more
AI may finally end the paper chase caused by prior authorization. Or it may worsen it.
Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services
A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness.

Cardiology societies say affirmative action ruling will do long-term damage to patient care

The American College of Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists and several other U.S. societies released a new joint statement on the ruling.

Private equity could face more scrutiny as FTC turns up the dial on merger reviews

Both the complexity and volume of deals has soared in recent years, the agency noted, prompting the need to review premerger forms for the first time in years.

CMS slated to introduce nearly 400 new CPT codes in October

The upcoming changes include a total of 395 new codes, 25 deletions and 13 revisions.

SEC nails former Pfizer employee for insider trading ahead of COVID drug announcement

The senior statistician purchased short-term stock options, including some that expired the next day, after allegedly being made aware of Paxlovid’s success in clinical trials ahead of a public announcement.

ACR, members of Congress agree: ‘Great urgency’ needed to reform MACRA

The college issued its call to action on June 29, noting that the value-based care effort has been “plagued with challenges" since its inception.

Radiology society says EPA proposal could pose ‘significant disruptions’ to patient care

New standards for disinfecting devices could reduce sterilization capacity by upward of 50%, advocates estimate.

American Medical Association slams Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, saying it 'undermines decades of progress'

"Diversity is vital to healthcare, and this court ruling deals a serious blow to our goal of increasing medical career opportunities for historically marginalized and minoritized people."

Cardiologists, radiologists say EPA’s new sterilization proposal could put patients at risk

The primary concern is that sterilization facilities and healthcare providers would not have enough time to adapt to the proposal. Devices impacted would include pacemakers, angioplasty balloons and catheters, just to name a few.

Policy & Regulations

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

AI newswatch: Lifecyle AI oversight, data matters, AI vs. animals, more

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services