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 ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security
Mass firings on Tuesday led to thousands of workers at the CDC, FDA and NIH losing their jobs, including those working on public health initiatives and vaccine approvals.
Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests
The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 is endorsed by 30 trade groups including the Society of Interventional Radiology and MGMA.
Healthcare AI newswatch: Apple’s AI Doctor, AI’s expectant medical specialties, AI-watching teens, more
Apple’s AI Doctor had better be one good virtual physician.
California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk
The proposed “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” named after the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny necessary care to patients. The lawyer who proposed the measure said the controversial name was chosen to garner public attention.
Society of Interventional Radiology seeks to bolster research funding for the specialty
During their annual meeting being held this week in Nashville, the society announced the launch of the SIR Foundation Endowment.

Radiology societies ‘extremely disheartened’ over elimination of Medicare coverage for key procedure

Radiologists and pain management specialists are urging CMS to reconsider the decision and maintain access to this alternative to opioids or surgery.

Oversight Committee launches investigation into pharmacy benefit managers

CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx have been asked to provide documents, communications and information related to their practices.

FDA seeking upwards of $7B for 2024

The Food and Drug Administration has put in for a $7.2 billion chunk of the $6.9 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2024 that President Joe Biden proposed March 9.

FDA to require breast-density notifications from mammography facilities

The administration also is strengthening its ability to oversee imaging providers and enforce standards in the Mammography Quality Standards Act.

Cardiologists warn Biden administration that new policies could put PAD patients at risk

SCAI and the Association of Black Cardiologists have joined forces to share a simple message: PAD patients would be negatively impacted by new CMS proposals.

Paid sick leave mandates lead to higher cancer screening rates

Breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening jumped higher in 61 metropolitan areas that introduced required paid sick leave.

FDA clears first commercially available blood test for traumatic brain injury, reducing need for CT

Industry giant Abbott estimated that the new test could reduce the number of unnecessary computed tomography scans by up to 40%.

Biden’s budget: Extend Medicare solvency through higher taxes on rich, more drug price changes

Biden says his proposals are an extension of what he has already accomplished to reduce the deficit and lower healthcare spending.

Policy & Regulations

HHS ‘dramatic restructuring’ begins as employees turned away by security

Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests

Healthcare AI newswatch: Apple’s AI Doctor, AI’s expectant medical specialties, AI-watching teens, more

California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione lands on AG’s desk

Society of Interventional Radiology seeks to bolster research funding for the specialty