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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FDA recommends transition to safer duodenoscopes

The FDA released a statement, Thursday, Aug. 29, recommending duodenoscope manufacturers and health care facilities begin transitioning to new, innovate scopes that are less risky to patients.

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Kaiser workers to protest on Labor Day

California workers from Kaiser Permanente are planning to protest the healthcare organization’s labor practices on Sept. 2. The Labor Day protest comes just before more than 80,000 unionized workers plan to strike in October.

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Purdue Pharma opioid settlement between $10-$12B

A proposed settlement would see Purdue Pharma shell out between $10 billion and $12 billion to close thousands of lawsuits over the company’s role in the opioid abuse and overdose epidemic.

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Vaping illnesses highlight unregulated e-cigarette market

With nearly 200 vaping-related lung disease injuries and one death across the U.S., the CDC’s investigation into e-cigarette harms is highlighting just how unregulated the market is for these relatively new tobacco and marijuana products, Politico reported.

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Physician pay rose in 2018 while productivity held steady

Physician compensation increased by a median of 2.92% in 2018, according to a new survey from AMGA Consulting. That’s a big jump from the 0.89% increase in compensation the previous year, reflecting that demand for healthcare professionals is driving higher pay.

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Johnson & Johnson to appeal $572M opioid judgment

Pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer packaged goods company Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $572 million to the state of Oklahoma after a judge found the company downplayed the dangers of its opioid painkillers and contributed to the opioid overdose epidemic in the state.

 

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Medicare Advantage savings aren’t adding up

While there is some back-and-forth debate over the true savings results from Medicare Advantage, the plans could actually cost Medicare and the American taxpayer.

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Reuters: Philips had prior knowledge of 'suspicious' sales in Brazil

A new report from Reuters asserts that Philips Healthcare knew of suspicious medical equipment sales to government officials in Brazil years before the scheme was uncovered in May.