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.

DOJ accuses doctor of illegally prescribing opiates in exchange for sex
Ritesh Kalra, MD, allegedly wrote 31,000 opioid prescriptions between 2019 and 2025, many of which were illegitimate. He is accused of inappropriately touching patients in exchange for oxycodone scripts as part of a five-count criminal indictment.
Assembly issue spurs FDA recall on manual resuscitators
A problem with the B/V filters on SunMed adult resuscitators can cause the devices to malfunction. Due to the high safety risk this poses to patients, the FDA has assigned this recall its most serious designation.
Bipartisan lawmakers seek to increase funding for mobile CT lung cancer screening
The Mobile Cancer Screening Act would offer grants to help imaging providers purchase mobile CT screening units through the federal government.
Healthcare AI today: Pittsburgh’s bonanza, Bay area’s superstars, Dr. Google’s followers, more
The numbers from Pittsburgh are staggering. And they’re all about blasting American-made AI into the stratosphere, if not to Infinity and beyond.
Two insurers dominate most Medicare Advantage markets, report finds
Over 97% of all counties in the U.S. see high or very high levels of consolidation in Medicare Advantage markets, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana owning the most plans nationwide.

CMS not changing ALZ drug restrictions

The announcement comes as more Alzheimer’s drugs are being evaluated with hopes that some new treatments could be breakthroughs.

Mammography guideline changes have produced a ‘harmful’ spillover effect

Mammography screening trends had remained flat, but they fell across all age groups after the USPSTF issued new guidelines in 2009.

Medtronic relaunches Harmony TPV system after 2022 recall

The device, which gained FDA approval in 2021, was part of a voluntary recall in 2022 due to stability concerns. Medtronic worked with the FDA to address the issue, and the Harmony TPV is once again available throughout the United States.

New prior authorization policy coming down the pipeline, American College of Radiology warns

CMS first announced the change late last year via the 2023 Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Final Rule.

Cigna stops former executive from joining CVS Health

Cigna has blocked CVS Health from hiring Amy Bricker, a former Cigna executive, after a federal judge granted the company a temporary injunction.

More than 100 healthcare groups unite in support of prior authorization reform

The AMA and 118 other healthcare groups are urging CMS to finalize reforms that target prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans that delay, deny and disrupt medically necessary care to patients.

New practice guidelines for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors

Issued by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the new guidelines are intended to inform any practitioners involved in ordering, performing, reading and reporting SSTR PET imaging.

New ACC/AHA/SCAI guidance highlights training requirements for interventional cardiologists

The document, which was designed to help guide both interventional cardiology trainees and program directors, was also endorsed by several other industry societies.

Policy & Regulations

DOJ accuses doctor of illegally prescribing opiates in exchange for sex

Assembly issue spurs FDA recall on manual resuscitators

Bipartisan lawmakers seek to increase funding for mobile CT lung cancer screening

Healthcare AI today: Pittsburgh’s bonanza, Bay area’s superstars, Dr. Google’s followers, more

Two insurers dominate most Medicare Advantage markets, report finds