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.

Congress aims to crack down on ‘zombie drug’

Xylazine is a sedative intended for animals such as horses and cattle, but it is increasingly being found mixed with strong opioids such as fentanyl.

A list of cardiovascular drugs a patient is taking in a graphical format in the Cardioviso atrial fibrillation patient management application GE Healthcare showed at ACC.23.#ACC23 #ACC

Lawsuit slams PBMs Cigna, Humana as price-fixing ‘modern gangsters’

“Medications shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, metaphorically or literally,” says Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost “Insulin is just a symptom of the problem; PBMs are the disease.”

American College of Radiology says accreditation fees will rise 9% across most modalities

Pricing updates will take effect on July 1 and mark the first rate increase in more than a decade, ACR said.

cardiologist doctor physician patient black diverse hypertension

Healthcare groups ask CMS to create hybrid primary care payment option

Twenty-seven healthcare organizations signed the letter to CMS asking the agency to create a hybrid payment model, including the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations, AMGA, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Primary Care Collaborative.

Radiology business advocates implore Congress to remedy worsening physician shortages

ACR and RBMA want lawmakers to reintroduce the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to begin addressing a growing deficit of docs.

Sen. Warren asks FTC to review CVS Health’s $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

According to Warren, the FTC should scrutinize any healthcare deal that threatens competition, increases prices and reduces the quality of care.

Details emerge on yet another MRI accident

The accident happened on February 23, and it has since been revealed that it occurred at Kaiser Permanente’s Redwood City Medical Center facility.

Blood thinner recalled due to potential cancer risk

The recall, announced by the FDA, includes multiple lots of dabigatran etexilate capsules.

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