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.

Top imaging groups warn delayed screenings could cause ‘second healthcare crisis’

The ACR—along with seven other radiology organizations—said thousands could die due to delayed diagnoses caused by the pandemic and urged governors to take action.

American College of Radiology ‘strongly urges’ CMS to delay provider Medicare audits

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services first suspended most fee-for-service reviews back in March because of the pandemic.

FDA issues new guidance on how mammography facilities can contest adverse appeals decisions

Its announcement comes on the same day that the FDA was set to resume regular imaging site inspections that have been on hold during the pandemic.

Radiology providers want 1% Medicare pay hike to cover COVID supplies, federal loans for imaging upgrades

Radiologists and rad techs have been hit hard by the pandemic and need help in maintaining their arsenal of diagnostic tools, the American College of Radiology, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and others wrote recently.

Hospitals, nurses and docs urge Senate leaders to earmark funds for disparities in COVID care

CEOs with the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association underscored the pandemic’s outsized impact on people of color in a letter to lawmakers sent Friday.

State watch: Rad techs slam ‘inequitable’ Louisiana tax law; Missouri, Pennsylvania boost breast imaging coverage

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists criticized the new policy for failing to include its members along with radiation therapists.

Imaging manufacturer will pay $18M to settle federal investigation, plus more radiology vendor news

Also, Insightec earns Medicare coverage for MR-guided treatment, a new AI tool to assist with COVID imaging, and Xact Robotics earns FDA clearance to market new product.

American College of Radiology selects new Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute chief

Elizabeth Rula, PhD, will replace Executive Director Danny Hughes, PhD, who has led the institute since its inception in 2012.

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