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 sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control
The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block.
FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks
The mobile power units of certain HeartMate 3 and HeartMate II LVADs have been experiencing “sudden, unexpected performance issues” such as turning on, off or even restarting with no warning. These issues can potentially be fatal, according to an alert shared by the FDA.
‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients
Experts have proposed “episode-based cost sharing” to address financial toxicity for healthcare consumers, according to new research published in JACR.
Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists this week gave its 2025 Awards for Advocacy to both Diane Kosenko, with Radiology Associates of Hartford, Conn., and its Minnesota affiliate.
Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging
Reps. Don Davis, Morgan Griffith and Ben Cline recently introduced the Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025.

Cardinal Health will pay $13M to settle kickback allegations

The Ohio-based drug distributor violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by offering to pay physician practices upfront discounts to buy pharmaceuticals paid for by federal health programs, according to the DOJ.

COVID-19 congress coronavirus Washington

American College of Radiology sees opportunity for legislative wins in 2022, despite ‘partisan gridlock’

ACR highlighted clinical labor wage updates and upcoming sequester cuts as two targets in early 2022, hoping to build off advocacy momentum from last year.

Hospital system drops lawsuit over radiology employees quitting to join competitor

ThedaCare recently sued Ascension Northeast Wisconsin, claiming the organization improperly recruited interventional techs and nurses from its Appleton hospital.

71% of radiologists named in a malpractice lawsuit, though numbers are down during pandemic

The number is a drop from the 76% rate recorded in 2019, likely driven by decreased patient volumes and lower court case counts, Medscape reported.

FDA greenlights Vuze Medical's software imaging system used during spinal operations

The system combines preoperative cross-sectional images with intraoperative 2D X-rays to give surgeons real-time graphical overlays.

Judge lifts restraining order preventing radiology employees from joining rival hospital system

ThedaCare had been granted a temporary injunction after members of its interventional team announced they were leaving for new positions at Ascension.

Transparency around potential conflicts of interest lacking among top medical imaging journals

About 41% of physician editorial board members from top radiology journals received payments from industry interests, ranging from $13 to $405K.

ACR challenges lack of transparency in Medicare Administrative Contractor coverage determinations

The American College of Radiology has joined 17 other provider groups in urging CMS to address poor stakeholder engagement.

Policy & Regulations

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

FDA announces new recall of Abbott heart pump accessories over significant safety risks

‘Innovative’ pay model eliminates cost uncertainty for breast and lung cancer screening patients

Rad tech advocates recognized for their work fighting scope creep in 2 states

Congressmen propose bill to address patient safety loophole in medical imaging