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 sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control
The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block.
FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks
The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.
‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients
Experts have proposed “episode-based cost sharing” to address financial toxicity for healthcare consumers, according to new research published in JACR.
Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists this week gave its 2025 Awards for Advocacy to both Diane Kosenko, with Radiology Associates of Hartford, Conn., and its Minnesota affiliate.
Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging
Reps. Don Davis, Morgan Griffith and Ben Cline recently introduced the Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025.

White House works with health tech companies to address social determinants of health

A number of major health technology companies have partnered with the White House in an effort to standardize the sharing of patient data on social determinants of health.

Medicare premiums will drop in 2023

Medicare Part A and B premiums will drop in 2023, marking the first decrease in a decade.

The fight continues: Cardiologists turn up heat on Congress to stop Medicare payment cuts

Dozens of medical societies have signed a new letter urging Congress to stop upcoming Medicare payment cuts. “The Medicare payment system remains on an unsustainable path threatening beneficiaries’ access to physicians," they wrote.

New contrast agent receives FDA approval after competitors collaborate on development

The Sept. 21 announcement states that Gadopiclenol Injection—a highly stable macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent—is approved for use in adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older during MRI exams.

Tough sledding for patients using hospital ‘transparency’ tools to obtain imaging price estimates

Notwithstanding CMS’ most-shoppable-services rule, radiology researchers find much work lies ahead “if the goal of online price estimators is for patients to use them.”

1 in 5 households carries medical debt, risks falling into ‘downward spiral of ill health and financial precarity’

Insured or not, few Americans are immune to medical debt. And when a budget-busting event comes, it can significantly worsen such basic social determinants of health (SDOH) as housing security and food affordability.

President Biden declares COVID-19 pandemic is ‘over’

President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 “pandemic is over” during an interview with 60 Minutes.

New analysis reveals enormous variations in prostate MRI pricing

A total of 37,073 MRI examinations conducted at 552 facilities across the U.S. between January 2010 and March 2020 were included in the analysis.

Policy & Regulations

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks

‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients

Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states

Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging