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. 

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Amazon’s fight over patient data could lead to lawsuit

Amazon is in a fight for patient health data after a pharmacy industry player worked to block the e-commerce giant’s online pharmacy business, PillPack, from accessing the information.

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Civica Rx partners with Hikma Pharma to launch 14 injectables

Civica Rx, the not-for-profit drug company startup created by hospital and healthcare organizations to reduce the impact of rising drug costs and shortages, has found another pharmaceutical partner to manufacture and supply 14 essential sterile injectable medications.

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Two-thirds of hospital visits are avoidable

Of the 27 million hospital emergency department visits annually by privately insured individuals, 18 million are avoidable, according to new figures from UnitedHealth Group. Systemwide, treating people in primary care settings instead of the ED represents a huge savings opportunity of $32 billion.

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Fewer ACOs sign up, but more are taking on risk

Changes to the accountable care organization shared savings program by CMS are having the desired effect, but fewer ACOs are participating in 2019. The declaration comes from CMS Administrator Seema Verma, who recently penned a blog post in Health Affairs outlining the recent outcomes of the ACO shared savings program.

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Short-term health plans expansion upheld in court

The Trump administration’s expansion of short-term limited-duration health plans has held up in court after a legal challenge.

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Update: ACR cheers addition of key provision to surprise billing legislation

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has cheered the inclusion of a key provision to the No Surprises Act (HR 3630), new legislation designed to address the issue of surprise medical bills.

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Merger talks are over for Care New England, Lifespan

Merger talks between Care New England, one of the largest healthcare systems in Rhode Island, Brown University and Lifespan, operator of Rhode Island Hospital, are over.

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Legislation aims to improve patient access to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

Reps. Scott Peters, Bobby L. Rush and George Holding introduced a bipartisan bill this week that would increase patient access to key diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used to help treat Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and numerous cancers.