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.

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners
The FTC has back-burnered its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed.
Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote
The confirmation vote mostly fell on party lines. The Emmy-award-winning TV personality will replace Chiquita W. Brooks-LaSure, who has held the position since 2021.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Bill that would require providers report extravasations of radioactive drugs is back on the House floor
Patient advocacy groups say the proposal "is common-sense legislation that will protect patients."
Patients eligible for both breast and lung cancer screening are getting mammograms while ditching low-dose CT in droves
This finding underlines the need for interventions to increase LCS awareness and address common barriers such as confusing eligibility criteria.

Health-tech companies back new legislation introduced to modernize ‘outdated’ health privacy laws

Teladoc Health, IBM, Epic and others all support the bipartisan Health Data Use and Privacy Commission Act.

With patient safety slipping, CDC and CMS turn focus to more resilient approaches

COVID-19 has led to a quick and steep decline in patient safety across the entire American healthcare system.

Appeals court revives lawsuit alleging misordered CT scan led to patient’s death

Lynda Newman, MD, claimed she ordered imaging with contrast, suspecting aortic dissection, but a rad tech performed CT without, leading to a missed diagnosis.

HHS awards $55 million to expand virtual healthcare access

The awards will enhance telehealth, digital patient tools and health information technology to support underserved communities.

American College of Radiology urges FDA to use discretion in ‘point-of-care’ 3D printing oversight

Anatomic models pose significantly less danger than surgical guides or implanted devices and should be regulated differently, the ACR said in recent public comments.

Prior authorization adversely impacts patient care, workforce productivity

An AMA survey shows that prior authorization can have harsh consequences on evidence-based care that interfere with a healthy, productive workforce.

CVS seeks to relieve overworked pharmacists with new policy

Pharmacists have also been affected by the pandemic, with higher than previously reported rates of burnout affecting the profession.

CDC updates clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids

The new guideline suggests prescribing opioid-naïve patients with acute, subacute, or chronic pain the "lowest dosage to achieve expected effects."

Policy & Regulations

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Bill that would require providers report extravasations of radioactive drugs is back on the House floor

Patients eligible for both breast and lung cancer screening are getting mammograms while ditching low-dose CT in droves