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.

In brief: Dems and GOPers both wrong about healthcare | Physician trainees literally going hungry | Uplifting points of 2025 light
Democrats want to keep Obamacare going. Republicans want to replace it, ideally with health savings accounts. Regardless of which approach holds sway this week—or whenever—either one would be woefully shortsighted.
Radiology groups renew push for bill to reform prior authorization
Over 125 medical societies including several in radiology wrote to leaders in the House and Senate on Dec. 9, asking them to pass the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients
After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.
Radiologists, other specialists urge Congress to tap physician-owned hospitals in affordability talks
Over 40 medical societies including ACR are suggesting House lawmakers consider ending the 15-year ban on POHs.
California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy
The plaintiffs argue that the administration has overstepped its authority and that only Congress can levy such hefty fees. As noted in the lawsuit, healthcare relies on skilled labor immigration to bring doctors, nurses and researchers into the country.

FDA approves Abbott’s Aveir dual chamber (DR) leadless pacemaker system, the world’s very first dual chamber leadless pacing solution for treating patients with abnormal heart rhythms.

FDA approves world’s first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system

The minimally invasive system is made up of two pacemakers that send signals back and forth to one another. One pacemaker is placed on the patient's right ventricle, and the other is placed on the patient's right atrium.

Cardiology societies say affirmative action ruling will do long-term damage to patient care

The American College of Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists and several other U.S. societies released a new joint statement on the ruling.

Private equity could face more scrutiny as FTC turns up the dial on merger reviews

Both the complexity and volume of deals has soared in recent years, the agency noted, prompting the need to review premerger forms for the first time in years.

CMS slated to introduce nearly 400 new CPT codes in October

The upcoming changes include a total of 395 new codes, 25 deletions and 13 revisions.

SEC nails former Pfizer employee for insider trading ahead of COVID drug announcement

The senior statistician purchased short-term stock options, including some that expired the next day, after allegedly being made aware of Paxlovid’s success in clinical trials ahead of a public announcement.

ACR, members of Congress agree: ‘Great urgency’ needed to reform MACRA

The college issued its call to action on June 29, noting that the value-based care effort has been “plagued with challenges" since its inception.

Radiology society says EPA proposal could pose ‘significant disruptions’ to patient care

New standards for disinfecting devices could reduce sterilization capacity by upward of 50%, advocates estimate.

American Medical Association slams Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, saying it 'undermines decades of progress'

"Diversity is vital to healthcare, and this court ruling deals a serious blow to our goal of increasing medical career opportunities for historically marginalized and minoritized people."

Policy & Regulations

In brief: Dems and GOPers both wrong about healthcare | Physician trainees literally going hungry | Uplifting points of 2025 light

Radiology groups renew push for bill to reform prior authorization

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

Radiologists, other specialists urge Congress to tap physician-owned hospitals in affordability talks

California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy