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.

FDA gives emergency approval to decontaminate, reuse ‘millions’ of scarce N95 masks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced its latest emergency use authorization.

AI specialists raise $9M to expand platform for reducing medical errors

Ferrum Health, a San Francisco-based healthcare technology company, has closed a funding round worth $9 million.

Imaging giant Philips inks nearly $650M deal to produce ventilators under Defense Production Act

The Amsterdam-based company said it plans to double output at its U.S. sites by May, with a four-fold increase expected in July.

Parental leave for radiology residents: Robust but uneven

A lack of consistency in policies around the country in 2020 invites the question: Do residency program directors need national guidelines on parental leave?

13-state hospital operator expected to file for bankruptcy

A health system that runs 23 hospitals has moved to restructure its debt, a move that will likely lead to its filing for Chapter 11 protection.

Microsoft exec raised in Appalachia calls US healthcare to help ‘make AI serve us all’

Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott surely didn’t see the coronavirus coming when he was writing his new book on AI. But with the title’s April 7 release, he’s perceiving the pandemic as equal parts threat and opportunity.

Radiologists, other docs push policymakers to adopt ‘COVID-19 Pandemic Physician Protection Act’

The group recently launched a Change.org petition directed at President Donald Trump and other elected leaders, imploring them to help doctors on the front lines.

Feds seize 900,000-plus pieces of PPE from hoarding price gouger, distribute to providers

HHS and the DOJ partnered on the operation, with the confiscated items going to hard-hit providers in New York and New Jersey.

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