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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CVS aims to avoid hyperinflated drugs

More than 3,400 drugs saw price hikes in the first half of 2019, with the average increase being more than five times the rate of inflation, according to CVS Caremark.

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Hurricane Dorian prompts public health emergencies

HHS Secretary Alex Azar declared public health emergencies for Georgia and South Carolina on Sept. 2 in preparation for Hurricane Dorian.

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USPSTF updates recommendations on risk-reducing breast cancer medications

Healthcare providers should offer risk-reducing medications such as tamoxifen, raloxifene and aromatase inhibitors to women at an increased risk of breast cancer or low risk of experiencing adverse effects, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

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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.