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.

Lawmakers propose allowing radiologists to own hospitals, drawing ire from hospital lobby
“Patients should have the freedom to choose the highest quality care available, and physicians should be allowed to provide it,” said Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas.
VA halts mass layoffs, still shedding 30,000 jobs by 2026
Veterans Affairs said plans to reduce its workforce by 85,000 have been called off. It has instead undertaken other efforts to improve efficiency. As for the 30,000 jobs it expects to lose by the end of 2025, those will come from early retirements
Doctor arrested for $5.2M fraud linked to using medical ozone gas on patients
Jawad Bhatti, MD is facing a 26-count indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice after he allegedly advertised the use of ozone gas as a treatment for pain, then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the unapproved procedures.
FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to new drug candidate for FA cardiomyopathy
The new drug, LX2006, has already received the FDA's fast track designation. This latest distinction was based on early data from two separate clinical trials.
AMA trustee says the U.S. healthcare system is in a state of crisis
“We are in a crisis with healthcare research, administrative burdens, and with payment. Access for our patients is hurt," said American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees member Scott Ferguson, MD, FACR.

Physician lawmaker introduces bipartisan bill to avert $450M in forthcoming Medicare cuts to radiology

Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, R-Texas, is proposing to temporarily waive budget neutrality requirements for one year under the MPFS.

Playing the percentages on face masks: 5 points to ponder

Around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, words have occasionally led to blows over people in public not wearing face masks. Then too, fisticuffs have erupted over people in public wearing face masks.

50% of radiology practices plan to reduce staffing if ‘catastrophic’ Medicare cuts move forward in 2021

Another 82% said they expect reimbursement reductions will result in decreased imaging access for patients, according to a new survey.

Initiative aims to leverage technology in mitigating healthcare disparities

AI is a key part of the plan as two groups with little in common come together over health disparities that have only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New international coalition pushes patient advocacy agenda

More than 100 patient groups across 38 countries have banded together to form an international patient advocacy coalition to be known as the World Patients Alliance.

Former FDA chiefs want White House to cease ‘deeply troubling’ interference in scientific matters

In particular, the former Food and Drug Administration commissioners are concerned about political meddling in the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Liability for following AI treatment recommendations not so clear-cut, but emerging patterns suggest safe pathways

‘We find that two factors reduce lay judgment of liability: following standard care and following the recommendation of AI tools.’

CDC chief dismayed over radiologist’s influence on White House: ‘Everything he says is false’

Scott Atlas, MD, recently made the news after nearly 100 former Stanford colleagues questioned his views around the pandemic.

Policy & Regulations

Lawmakers propose allowing radiologists to own hospitals, drawing ire from hospital lobby

VA halts mass layoffs, still shedding 30,000 jobs by 2026

Doctor arrested for $5.2M fraud linked to using medical ozone gas on patients

FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to new drug candidate for FA cardiomyopathy

AMA trustee says the U.S. healthcare system is in a state of crisis