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.

Lehigh Valley Health admits to controlled substances violations in $2.75M settlement
The Pennsylvania-based health system reported drug diversion incidents to authorities involving a pharmacy technician who used employee passwords to steal pills from one of its hospitals.
Sanitation issue forces FDA recall of ventilator suction systems
Ballard Closed Suction Systems will need to be returned to the manufacturer for a refund due to the high risk of a potentially fatal infection stemming from their use.
Medicare now covers TriClip procedures for patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation
CMS has finalized a new national coverage determination for T-TEER, sometimes known as transcatheter tricuspid valve repair. Abbott's TriClip is the only device approved by the FDA for T-TEER, but other treatment options are under development.
Healthcare AI today: HL7 Int’l opens AI office, Justice Dept. uses AI, epidemiologist harbors AI skepticism, more
HL7 International is open for AI business. The interoperability organization announced the launch of its new AI office July 8.
Shared decision-making visits significantly boost CT lung cancer screening adherence
SDM "is more than just a billing requirement—it’s a valuable opportunity to engage patients," says radiologist Farouk Dako, MD, MPH.

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

Lehigh Valley Health admits to controlled substances violations in $2.75M settlement

Sanitation issue forces FDA recall of ventilator suction systems

Medicare now covers TriClip procedures for patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation

Healthcare AI today: HL7 Int’l opens AI office, Justice Dept. uses AI, epidemiologist harbors AI skepticism, more

Shared decision-making visits significantly boost CT lung cancer screening adherence