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.

White House to end civil service protections for 50,000 federal workers
President Donald Trump's administration said an executive order to implement Schedule F, to make it easier to fire federal works that don't align with its agenda of "draining the swamp," is forthcoming.
Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs
The American Nurses Association is warning that eliminating support for the training and research offered by the National Institute of Nursing Research could be devastating to the public, as many programs support specialties such as maternal and mental health.
FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns
A catheter sheath detached during use and was left in the patient’s body. It was successfully removed, but the FDA said it is now evaluating the potential risk to others going forward. There is no official recall at this time.
FDA clears new cold cathode tomosynthesis system
Cold cathode tubes make for smaller systems that are lighter in weight and require less energy to operate, also resulting in decreased costs.
Arkansas the 30th state to pass legislation bolstering coverage for breast imaging
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 123 into law on April 14 following its passage by the state legislature, weeks after Virginia passed a similar bill.

No Surprises Act takes effect, leading to a mix of cheers and jeers from heart specialists

Many healthcare groups remain concerned about the law's potential long-term impact on providers and patients alike.

Amid lawsuits, radiologist opposition, Biden administration touts start of surprise medical bill ban

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra believes this marks the “most critical consumer protection law” since the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

American College of Radiology sues federal government to halt controversial piece of surprise billing rule

ACR is joined by similar groups representing anesthesiologists and emergency physicians, hoping to fix a new process aimed at settling disputes between providers and payers.

New lawsuit alleges Duke is working to ‘destroy’ private physicians group

Meanwhile, representatives with the institution say the suit "has no basis in fact or law" and that the university plans to fight it.

Cash cost for imaging often lower than payer-negotiated price, with widespread variation across hospitals

Providers are less likely to reveal prices for more expensive services, which might suggest "strategic disclosing decisions," experts wrote in JAMA.

CMS investing $1.8B to fund 1,000 new residency slots, the largest increase in 25 years

Earlier in 2021, radiologists and members of Congress had sought much larger numbers, totaling 14,000 new residents by 2029.

Radiologists and thoracic surgeons voice concerns over CMS proposal to expand lung cancer screening

ACR and others are urging the agency to remove recommended screening cutoffs for Medicare beneficiaries after age 77, among other changes.

FDA greenlights AI software that helps diagnose breast and thyroid cancers

The software can reduce false-positive results on thyroid exams by over 35%, according to Koios Medical.

Policy & Regulations

White House to end civil service protections for 50,000 federal workers

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs

FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns

FDA clears new cold cathode tomosynthesis system

Arkansas the 30th state to pass legislation bolstering coverage for breast imaging