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.

With SCOTUS striking down ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Trump implements 15% tax on all imports
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs unconstitutional. The administration responded by imposing a 10% rate across the board, later hiked to 15%. That will remain in effect for 150 days and require an act of Congress to extend.
New group names 4 things US healthcare can—and should—handle on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers
Alzheimer’s disease already has the nation in a crisis of care capacity. The pressure to do more in response is mounting. Meanwhile the true total cost is hard to estimate since so many dementia caregivers are unpaid family members and other volunteers.
Teenage cannabis users twice as likely as non-users to develop psychosis, bipolar disorder
The new research doesn’t solve the mystery of which tends to come first—the mental illness or the drug use. Regardless, the large study serves to underscore the need for proactive and preventive measures.
FDA approves expanded use of gadolinium-based imaging agent from Guerbet
Gadopiclenol is a macrocyclic high-relaxivity GBCA that contains less than half the amount of gadolinium that standard agents are formulated with.
Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care
The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.

The iCardio.ai EchoMeasure AI software to automate measurements for cardiac echo imaging. It was FDA cleared in October 2024.

FDA approves AI startup’s new software for echo assessments

iCardio.ai, co-founded by a cardiologist, is part of the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator program. The startup has already announced new partnerships with Viz.ai, Abbott and others in the cardiac health space.

Hundreds of lawmakers urge House to pass radiologist pay fix during lame duck session

“The overwhelming, bipartisan support is a testament to the importance of fixing this issue," said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, who led the letter-writing effort.

Raleigh Radiology bests UNC in battle over state’s certificate-of-need law

State authorities recently gave the 75-year-old private practice the go-ahead to purchase an MRI scanner for its imaging center in Clayton, North Carolina.

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report of all the plaque in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future in screening patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Medicare administrative contractors approve coverage of AI-enabled quantitative CT

Four of the seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) announced they will now cover artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) and coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA).

Employee parking lot is a sea of mud and storm debris at the the Baxter North Cove facility. Photo by Aerial Lens.

Baxter begins importing IV supplies as 86% of providers report shortages

Hurricane Helene severely damaged Baxter's plant near Asheville, North Carolina, leading to a nationwide shortage of IV fluid bags.

Conspiracy at Chicago safety net hospital leads to fourth indictment

Three executives at Loretta Hospital were allegedly receiving cash bribes from a local businessman who operated medical supply companies.

Many radiology PowerPoints inadvertently put private health information at risk

Many of these files are still readily available online, and numerous contain PHI that is “easily accessible,” a new analysis reveals.

California imaging clinics at center of $54M Medicare fraud scandal

The LA area duo at the helm of the scheme laundered their profits “by buying millions of dollars’ worth of gold bars and coins,” the DOJ says.

Policy & Regulations

With SCOTUS striking down ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Trump implements 15% tax on all imports

New group names 4 things US healthcare can—and should—handle on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers

Teenage cannabis users twice as likely as non-users to develop psychosis, bipolar disorder

FDA approves expanded use of gadolinium-based imaging agent from Guerbet

Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care