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.

The role of medical debt in American bankruptcy

Medical debt is a significant factor in the reasons Americans file for bankruptcy, and Americans facing major health scares are also likely to face financial setbacks.

Justice Department sues CVS subsidiary Omnicare

A CVS Health subsidiary, Omnicare, is facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over allegations the company defrauded government health programs by providing prescription drugs to thousands of long-term care facilities without proper prescriptions.

HHS proposals aim to boost organ donation supply

HHS has issued a set of two proposed rules aimed at improving the availability of organs for the 113,000 Americans on waitlists for transplants.

Repeal of controversial $20B medical device tax may be imminent

Foes of the tax applauded the proposed spending bill on Tuesday, Dec. 17, urging lawmakers to “cross the finish line.”

Humana acquiring hospice pharmacy Enclara Healthcare

Louisville-based Humana, the nation’s third-largest health insurance provider, is acquiring a large privately held hospice pharmacy and benefit management providers, Enclara Healthcare.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center names new radiology chair

The Cleveland, Ohio-based institution is considered University Hospital’s flagship academic medical center.

Top 10 healthiest states in America

Vermont is ranked as the nation’s healthiest state, according to UnitedHealth Group, which released its annual population health rankings. Mississippi trails the country as the least healthy state in the nation.

Senate confirms Stephen Hahn to lead FDA

Hahn is chief of radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

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