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.

103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said “malicious actors” created fake accounts for Medicare beneficiaries through the agency’s patient portal, using stolen data from an unknown source. The incident is being investigated.
FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software
Spectrum V8 and V6 infusion pumps may have accidentally had their software switched, which could result in underinfusion or a fluid overload. While no injuries have been reported, for safety the affected pumps need to be removed from where they are used and sold.
Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval
According to Medtronic, its VitalFlow ECMO system was designed and developed with the user experience in mind.
State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’
However, those fighting the decision declared victory Monday after filing a lawsuit against the New York Department of Health.
DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown
Of those arrested, 96 are doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. All face charges related to telehealth prescriptions, illegal opioid distribution and fraudulent billing practices.

Physician sentenced in $515M pain cream fraud scheme

Gregory Auzenne, MD, a pain management specialist from Meridian, Mississippi, has been sentenced in connection with a $515 million fraud scheme over pain cream.

Multispecialty physician groups oppose FTC proposal to ban noncompete clauses

Meanwhile, the commission called such agreements an “exploitative practice that suppresses wages, hampers innovation, and blocks entrepreneurs from starting new businesses."

Patients overwhelmingly want early access to their imaging results, new survey finds

The results suggest an association between patient worry and abnormal results, signifying an opportunity for providers to tailor their communication strategy.

California partners with Civica Rx for affordable insulin

The state of California and Civica Rx have penned a 10-year deal to deliver insulin at a reduced rate. The medicines will be available in vials and prefilled pens under the CalRx label.

Healthcare disparities, uninsured rate both improving

In the last few years, uninsured rates dropped to a historic low of 8%, while racial disparities across healthcare have also vastly improved, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.

The ACR is seeking input on follow-up recommendations for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Specifically, the college wants additional input related to radiologic-recommended follow-up imaging of AAA, which is often discovered incidentally.

State radiological society earns $20,000 grant to help fight ‘harmful’ scope-of-practice bills

The American College of Radiology Association announced the news Friday, with the money coming from its special fund established in 2021.

FDA announces new Class I recall of troubled heart devices

The recall includes approximately 2,300 devices distributed to customers prior to July 24, 2017. There have been 44 complaints about this issue so far.

Policy & Regulations

103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS

FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software

Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval

State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’

DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown