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.

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows
A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.
CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER
CMS has proposed covering tricuspid TEER for patients who present with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation despite optimal medical therapy. The agency still has questions about the available data, however, and is seeking public comments as it makes its final decision.
Healthcare AI newswatch: Fail-fast AI skunk works, writerly doctors avoiding AI scribes, more
Is trial and error any way for a sprawling health system to roll out AI? Duke Health’s chief medical information officer believes so.
FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners
The FTC has back-burnered its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed.
Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote
The confirmation vote mostly fell on party lines. The Emmy-award-winning TV personality will replace Chiquita W. Brooks-LaSure, who has held the position since 2021.

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.

American College of Radiology urges CMS to resume dispute resolutions under surprise-billing act

Failure to act could prove detrimental to physicians and their patients, ACR and similar groups representing anesthesiologists and emergency providers argued.

Bills to expand nonphysicians’ scope of practice ‘rampant’ across US, American College of Radiology says

ACR labeled one recently opposed bill in South Dakota as "harmful" and "dangerous," with similar measures in the works elsewhere.

layoffs staff cuts termination workforce

Akorn Pharmaceuticals shuts down, lays off all employees

In a sudden "shock," Akorn Pharmaceuticals is closing all U.S. sites and laying off its entire workforce after failing to find a potential buyer.

FTC fines BetterHelp $7.8M, says the company 'betrayed' users for profit

BetterHelp is in hot water after the Federal Trade Commission slapped the online counseling service company with a $7.8 million fine and a proposed ban from sharing consumers’ health data.

Policy & Regulations

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER

Healthcare AI newswatch: Fail-fast AI skunk works, writerly doctors avoiding AI scribes, more

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote