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.

Grant radiologists more authority as ‘treating physicians,’ ACR urges federal government

This would allow imaging physicians to order diagnostic tests, and put them on equal footing with primary care and other specialists, CEO William Thorwarth Jr., MD, noted in a recent letter to CMS.

Antivaxxers finding allies in more than a few chiropractors

At a time when mandatory immunization bills are pending in numerous states, more than enough chiropractors have organized against the norm to raise many eyebrows and considerable Cain.

FDA gives emergency approval to decontaminate, reuse ‘millions’ of scarce N95 masks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced its latest emergency use authorization.

AI specialists raise $9M to expand platform for reducing medical errors

Ferrum Health, a San Francisco-based healthcare technology company, has closed a funding round worth $9 million.

Imaging giant Philips inks nearly $650M deal to produce ventilators under Defense Production Act

The Amsterdam-based company said it plans to double output at its U.S. sites by May, with a four-fold increase expected in July.

Parental leave for radiology residents: Robust but uneven

A lack of consistency in policies around the country in 2020 invites the question: Do residency program directors need national guidelines on parental leave?

13-state hospital operator expected to file for bankruptcy

A health system that runs 23 hospitals has moved to restructure its debt, a move that will likely lead to its filing for Chapter 11 protection.

Microsoft exec raised in Appalachia calls US healthcare to help ‘make AI serve us all’

Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott surely didn’t see the coronavirus coming when he was writing his new book on AI. But with the title’s April 7 release, he’s perceiving the pandemic as equal parts threat and opportunity.

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