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, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift
Multiple professional groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians, challenge recent policy changes to vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, which end routine inoculations for minors and pregnant women.
What’s in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—and what was left out?
Sweeping tax cuts and reduced spending on Medicaid and SNAP were signed into law by President Donald Trump. However, a key provision that would have paused new AI regulations was removed by the Senate.
FDA expands approval of Boston Scientific’s Farapulse PFA system
The FDA's 2024 approval of the Farapulse system covered patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Now, however, the technology is officially approved for patients with more persistent symptoms.
President Trump finalizes spending bill with 2.5% rad pay bump, but no inflation-based Medicare reform
The bill also includes some $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, with nearly 12 million kicked off insurance, drawing criticism from the American Medical Association and hospital lobbying groups.
Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact
The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.

RBMA consumer survey finds screening mammography low, Medicare concerns high

Almost half of U.S. women covered by or eligible for Medicare have not been screened for breast cancer for at least three years, according to a study just out from the Radiology Business Management Association.

ACR, familiar allies unite anew to ‘stop insurer profit grab at patient and provider expense’

The American College of Radiology is again linking arms with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in a lawyer-guided effort to iron out an abrading wrinkle in the No Surprises Act.

Sutter Health to pay $13M in settlement over improper billing

The healthcare provider allegedly billed for toxicology tests performed by outside labs for government health programs.

FDA, DOJ go after e-cigarette companies for breaking the law

“Today’s enforcement actions represent a significant step for the FDA in preventing tobacco product manufacturers from violating the law,” one FDA official said.

Claire Ernst, director of government affairs, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), explains the list of priorities for the association. These include staving off the large, planned 2023 Medicare reimbursement cuts, fighting for continuation of reimbursements for telehealth, and revamping prior authorizations.

VIDEO: MGMA explains why the COVID-19 public health emergency extension is critical

Claire Ernst, director of government affairs for the Medical Group Management Association, talked to us about why extending the federal COVID-19 health emergency was so important for healthcare providers.

Insurers are 'leaving money on the table' for some shoppable imaging services

In some instances, maximum negotiated prices are 3.8 times higher than the minimum negotiated prices at the same hospital for the same procedure.

Medical center cleared in lawsuit over injurious MRI scan

A California hospital is not liable for negligence or elder abuse, both of which were civilly charged by a man who sustained second-degree burns while undergoing an MRI scan.

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Breast density notification laws: FDA provides updated timeline on rollout

The proposed regulations would require all healthcare providers to offer patients a summary of their breast density that details their breast cancer risks and covers additional screening options that may be available.

Policy & Regulations

HHS, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift

What’s in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—and what was left out?

FDA expands approval of Boston Scientific’s Farapulse PFA system

President Trump finalizes spending bill with 2.5% rad pay bump, but no inflation-based Medicare reform

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact