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.

DOJ announces 324 arrests in largest-ever $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown
Of those arrested, 96 are doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. The full lot face charges related to telehealth prescriptions, illegal opioid distribution and fraudulent billing practices.
Radiologists say Senate budget changes ‘threaten’ access to medical education
The American College of Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology and over 50 other medical societies expressed their concern to Senate committee leaders in a letter sent June 24.
What can federal health agencies do to revive the fading trust of the public?
Confidence in public health entities is spiraling downward in the U.S., and once-revered Washington institutions like the CDC and NIH are among the casualties in serious condition. How to break the negative momentum?
AAP, other physician societies double down on Kennedy-crossing vaccination stance
5 high-profile physician leaders: ‘Misinformation, politicization of commonsense public health efforts and sudden changes to federal vaccine guidance are creating mass confusion and diminishing trust in public health.’
Supreme Court upholds ACA’s preventive care mandate
Radiologist and cancer care advocacy groups commended the court’s 6-3 ruling in favor of HHS on Friday.

MRI founder celebrates the modality’s 50th anniversary by ringing Nasdaq closing bell

Raymond V. Damadian, MD, first discovered MR imaging in 1970, launching Fonar Corporation—the world's first MRI company—eight years later.

Google search trends help predict imaging demand among Medicare beneficiaries

Others have used the tech giant’s index of popular search terms to forecast everything from the stock market to disease outbreaks.

Radiology lost $627M in anticipated Medicare payment during 2020’s first half

Across all physician types, the cumulative decrease in spending totaled $9.4 billion, the American Medical Association reported.

MRI study underscores patients don’t shop around for lower prices

A new study has reaffirmed that consumers don’t really shop around to find lower healthcare prices.

CMS finally relents after decade of not covering PET imaging for infection, inflammation

It was back in 2008 that the federal agency decided not to reimburse for this exam, citing scant evidence at the time.

COVID-19 congress coronavirus Washington

Radiologists urge Congress to pause Medicare sequester cuts until after public health crisis

“We are deeply concerned that persistently high COVID-19 rates will continue to stress the entire healthcare system, especially physician practices,” rads wrote recently.

Radiology groups part of 1M provider coalition urging Congress to quash future Medicare pay cuts

The ACR and numerous others want lawmakers to stop using budget neutrality to enact “arbitrary reductions to reimbursement unrelated to the cost of providing care.”

Star ratings really do reflect quality of care in Medicare Advantage

Higher star ratings may be associated with better patient outcomes in Medicare Advantage plans, according to a study published in Health Affairs.

Policy & Regulations

DOJ announces 324 arrests in largest-ever $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown

Radiologists say Senate budget changes ‘threaten’ access to medical education

What can federal health agencies do to revive the fading trust of the public?

AAP, other physician societies double down on Kennedy-crossing vaccination stance

Supreme Court upholds ACA’s preventive care mandate