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.

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact
The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.
Radiation in the cath lab: Tracking state-level regulations for cardiologists
Researchers hope these policies can be standardized in the future to help avoid confusion and improve clinician safety.
Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials
MGMA and others who are part of the “Regulatory Relief Coalition” are urging Congress to continue pushing forward with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
Russian researcher strategizes on collaboration with China over healthcare AI
Have you ever wondered what China and Russia would talk about if they were to discuss AI in healthcare? It turns out they do just that—and a newly published academic paper straight out of the Russian Federation offers a glimpse into the dialogue.
10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software
The artificial intelligence-enabled software offers accelerated acquisition times, improved image resolution and one-click workflows for technologists.

Esteemed epidemiologist: ‘We must start treating immediately’ with hydroxychloroquine

Contrary to popular politicized opinion, hydroxychloroquine can be highly effective against COVID-19, according to a seasoned epidemiology professor at the Yale School of Public Health.

Provider orgs holding off on consolidation during the pandemic

The COVID crisis is affecting U.S. healthcare even at the level of high finance, suppressing merger and acquisition activity in the provider sector by almost 20% in 2020’s second quarter versus its first.

HHS officially extends COVID-19 public health emergency declaration

The American College of Radiology and other provider groups had advocated for the renewal, which has several implications for physicians.

Top imaging groups warn delayed screenings could cause ‘second healthcare crisis’

The ACR—along with seven other radiology organizations—said thousands could die due to delayed diagnoses caused by the pandemic and urged governors to take action.

American College of Radiology ‘strongly urges’ CMS to delay provider Medicare audits

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services first suspended most fee-for-service reviews back in March because of the pandemic.

FDA issues new guidance on how mammography facilities can contest adverse appeals decisions

Its announcement comes on the same day that the FDA was set to resume regular imaging site inspections that have been on hold during the pandemic.

Radiology providers want 1% Medicare pay hike to cover COVID supplies, federal loans for imaging upgrades

Radiologists and rad techs have been hit hard by the pandemic and need help in maintaining their arsenal of diagnostic tools, the American College of Radiology, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and others wrote recently.

Hospitals, nurses and docs urge Senate leaders to earmark funds for disparities in COVID care

CEOs with the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association underscored the pandemic’s outsized impact on people of color in a letter to lawmakers sent Friday.

Policy & Regulations

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact

Radiation in the cath lab: Tracking state-level regulations for cardiologists

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials

Russian researcher strategizes on collaboration with China over healthcare AI

10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software