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.

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners
The FTC has put its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts on hold after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed
Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote
The confirmation vote mostly fell on party lines. The Emmy-award-winning TV personality will replace Chiquita W. Brooks-LaSure, who has held the position since 2021.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Bill that would require providers report extravasations of radioactive drugs is back on the House floor
Patient advocacy groups say the proposal "is common-sense legislation that will protect patients."
Patients eligible for both breast and lung cancer screening are getting mammograms while ditching low-dose CT in droves
This finding underlines the need for interventions to increase LCS awareness and address common barriers such as confusing eligibility criteria.

Imaging groups urge USPSTF to remove 'arbitrary' cutoffs, expand lung cancer screening eligibility

The ACR and MITA both strongly support the proposal to lower screening age and smoking history requirements, but say the recent changes do not go far enough.

Debate over hybrid classrooms a signpost of back-to-school health troubles ahead

On its face, hybrid schooling appears a prudent compromise during the COVID-19 crisis. However, it’s awfully easy to find health and education experts crying Stop the madness.

$35M funding opportunity for Mo-99, Siemens FDA approval, and more imaging vendor news

Plus, RadNet and Hologic team up to advance artificial intelligence in breast imaging, and GE Healthcare strikes a distribution deal.

Teladoc agrees to buy chronic care company Livongo in $18.5B deal

Both organizations have seen their stock prices skyrocket during the pandemic, with the new organization on track to tally nearly $1.3 billion in revenue this year.

Notes from China: 3 of the most important—and scariest—things you’ll read about AI all month

In the late 1700s the English social theorist Jeremy Bentham sketched out a prison in which a single guard could control hundreds of inmates. The trick was to let the men know they could be seen 24/7 while the guard on duty was hidden from their view.

Nearly 70% of radiology practices have applied for financial relief during the pandemic

The American College of Radiology and Radiology Business Management Association queried more than 200 U.S. providers for their survey findings, published Tuesday in JACR.

Healthcare coalition cheers House vote overturning ‘archaic’ ban on unique patient identifiers

Approved by voice, the move eliminates Section 510 of the Labor-HHS bill and reverses the ban on using federal funding to create unique patient identifiers.

AI’s black box could help or hinder the anti-COVID cause

A generation gap may be emerging within the gold rush of computer scientists and software developers racing to weaponize AI for the fight against COVID-19.

Policy & Regulations

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

Dr. Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS in a 53-45 vote

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Bill that would require providers report extravasations of radioactive drugs is back on the House floor

Patients eligible for both breast and lung cancer screening are getting mammograms while ditching low-dose CT in droves