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.

11% of U.S. adults were uninsured in 2024, Census data shows
Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows most Americans still rely on work for their health coverage, with 53.8% of insured Americans receiving coverage through their employer.
MGMA: Ending ACA subsidies could strain health system, leave millions uninsured
Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association, explains the political and patient care issues involved with ending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Update: FDA confirms recalls for defibrillation leads after nearly 400 injuries
Safety concerns with certain Boston Scientific leads have resulted in multiple Class I recalls, the FDA has announced. The agency first shared a warning about this issue in August.
AI for opportunistic osteoporosis screening inks FDA clearance
The tool analyzes routine hip and pelvis X-rays for signs of low bone mineral density.
Radiology groups voice ‘enthusiastic support’ for proposal to add 14,000 more Medicare-funded residency slots
The Society of Interventional Radiology and American College of Radiology are thanking lawmakers for reintroducing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act.

VIDEO: Impact of the 2023 Medicare cuts on radiology

Ed Gaines, JD, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discussed the impact of the 2023 Medicare Fee Schedule on radiology at RSNA 2022 in Chicago last week. RSNA and several other medical societies say the cuts are not sustainable.

Healthcare groups react to prior authorization proposed rule

Healthcare groups are largely excited by a new proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that aims to streamline prior authorization and reduce burden on healthcare providers.

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the No Surprises Act on radiology at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2022 meeting. Gaines works with RSNA on billing and Medicare issues and spoke in sessions at the RSNA 2022 meeting. Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act in an effort to cut their costs, he said.

VIDEO: Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act, may impact patient care

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the impact of the No Surprises Act on healthcare and medical imaging at the RSNA 2022 meeting

CMS proposes rule on prior authorization

Prior authorization, which requires healthcare providers to get approval from insurance providers before giving certain treatments to patients, has been long-hailed as extremely burdensome to physicians, even causing delays in patient care.

Most devices implanted during LAAO procedures are oversized—and patients benefit

Oversized devices are becoming more common as time goes on, which suggests operators are growing increasingly comfortable with this treatment choice.

How a newly secured 3D printing patent could stabilize radioisotope production

Recently, a patent for 3D printed uranium targets was secured by the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Swierk, Poland, and it could increase the production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) globally.

Virtual reading room remains popular post-pandemic among certain radiologists, referrers

A large academic medical center launched a virtual radiology reading room in 2020 to comply with COVID-related social distancing guidelines. Today the room is still something of a hit.

FDA changes indications for Impella RP heart pump after dramatic shift in mortality rate

The Impella RP System is still associated with significant benefits, the FDA said, but there are certain high-risk patients who should no longer be eligible for treatment.

Policy & Regulations

11% of U.S. adults were uninsured in 2024, Census data shows

MGMA: Ending ACA subsidies could strain health system, leave millions uninsured

Update: FDA confirms recalls for defibrillation leads after nearly 400 injuries

AI for opportunistic osteoporosis screening inks FDA clearance

Radiology groups voice ‘enthusiastic support’ for proposal to add 14,000 more Medicare-funded residency slots