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.

AI newswatch: OpenAI goes to the UAE, patients get cyberchondria, more
Like remoras hitching a ride on a shark, private businesses are capitalizing on President Trump’s AI-aggressive trip to the Middle East.
House passes reconciliation bill that includes radiologist Medicare pay hike
Physician, hospital and patient advocacy groups expressed concern about other provisions in the budget bill, including sizable cuts to the Medicaid program.
Senators introduce radiology-supported bill to reform prior authorization
Sens. Roger Marshall, MD, R-Kan., and Mark Warner, D-Va., are reintroducing the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which previously drew widespread support.
CMS vows to ramp up audits of Medicare Advantage plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will increase medical coding staff from 40 to 2,000 and begin addressing its backlog of audits on Medicare Advantage plans in an effort to spot signs of fraud and abuse.
FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a very low risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis, primarily in young adults. The long-term impact of this risk has been the subject of many studies and debates over the years. One side says that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and the other side says that even the smallest risk of heart damage is too high.

Lawmakers pressure congressional leaders to fix clinical labor update set to stifle radiologist pay

Advocates have said these changes would necessitate “massive” pay reductions, with interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists bearing the brunt.

District of Columbia DC congress capitol hill

Radiology advocates express dismay after stopgap spending bill fails to address specialty’s concerns

The measure to extend funding through Feb. 18 does not include any of the changes championed by physicians.

Radiology research publications see marked increase thanks to resident-managed peer mentor program

Research publications by radiologists increased by 167% during the second year of the mentorship program, doctors at West Virginia University reported.

ACR sounds alarm as 1st insurer uses No Surprises Act to carve out docs who won't accept ‘drastic’ cuts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is allegedly using "strong arm tactics," forcing physicians to swallow cuts as high as 30%, emboldened by the controversial federal policy.

Judge halts Biden administration's worker vaccine mandate

More than 17 million healthcare workers and 67,000 providers are likely affected by the now-paused instruction.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Top states with the most affordable healthcare

Americans are paying more than ever for healthcare, but how much depends on where they live.

Radiology Partners shares advocacy lessons after big win, with eye toward next legislative battle

"Be the squeaky wheel. This issue was taken care of because physicians stood up,” Rad Partners' Richard Heller, MD, told RSNA attendees.

FDA approves new fluorescent imaging agent capable of identifying ovarian cancer

The contrast material detected additional lesions during surgery in 27% of ovarian cancer patients, West Lafayette, Indiana-based On Target Laboratories reported.

Policy & Regulations

AI newswatch: OpenAI goes to the UAE, patients get cyberchondria, more

House passes reconciliation bill that includes radiologist Medicare pay hike

Senators introduce radiology-supported bill to reform prior authorization

CMS vows to ramp up audits of Medicare Advantage plans

FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines