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.

Liability for following AI treatment recommendations not so clear-cut, but emerging patterns suggest safe pathways

‘We find that two factors reduce lay judgment of liability: following standard care and following the recommendation of AI tools.’

CDC chief dismayed over radiologist’s influence on White House: ‘Everything he says is false’

Scott Atlas, MD, recently made the news after nearly 100 former Stanford colleagues questioned his views around the pandemic.

Primera Blue Cross hit with $6.85M penalty, corrective action plan for HIPAA violations

The resolution represents the second largest payment to resolve a HIPAA investigation in OCR history. It also includes a robust corrective action plan that calls for, among other things, two years of monitoring.

FDA yanks imaging facility’s mammography accreditation following quality issues

The agency said it pulled Allison Breast Center’s certificate after it failed to comply with regulations in the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992.

US residents may soon be buying drugs from Canada—legally

The Trump Administration’s main aim is widening consumer access to lower prices.

Washington implores parents, providers to catch kids up on regular doctor visits

So many parents have held children back from visiting clinicians’ offices during the COVID crisis that CMS is issuing an urgent call to action: Please hold them back no more.

National Cancer Institute reportedly looking to kill high-profile $100M mammography trial

NCI has formed a work group to review funding for TMIST, which is comparing digital breast tomosynthesis with older 2D mammo technology.

CMS’ mandatory Radiation Oncology Model ‘goes too far,’ say provider groups pushing for delay

Chief Seema Verma said the new bundled payment effort will reward results, rather than the number of services delivered.

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