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.

Technologist sues radiology practice, questioning details of its $164M employee stock ownership plan

Robert Harrison and his attorneys claim employees overpaid in the deal and are seeking a jury trial to settle the legal dispute.

Imaging alliance urges FDA to address ‘troubling’ lack of oversight for third-party servicing groups

MITA believes third-party medical device servicers are operating within a "regulatory grey area," posing safety concerns to patients.

Radiology could witness ‘enforcement perfect storm’ as feds ratchet up pressure in 2021

COVID-19 relief funds could be one area of scrutiny, with such programs doling out billions of dollars to the healthcare industry to counter catastrophic losses, experts said.

American College of Radiology urges CMS to scale back ‘excessive’ cuts in mandatory payment model

ACR chief executive William Thorwarth Jr., MD, is also "alarmed" at the number of small and rural practices required to participate in the value-based care initiative.

Patient injured during imaging exam can move forward with lawsuit against rad technologist, judge rules

New Jersey Appellate Division Judge Rose said that the plaintiff did not require an affidavit of merit to move forward, reversing a previous ruling.

US drug prices soar above international averages

Drug prices in the U.S. are significantly higher than those in peer countries, according to new research from RAND. In fact, compared with 32 other countries combined, drug prices in the U.S. are 256% higher.

Cigna stops requiring prior authorization for certain CT imaging exams

Imaging advocates praised the policy change, which took effect on Monday, Feb. 1.

Surprise billing ban will constrain cash flow for radiology services providers, Moody’s predicts

Any physician firm that bills patients directly for their work will have “some level of exposure,” the investor service noted.

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