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. 

Thumbnail

Trump administration announces Medicaid block grants under new branding

The Trump administration has released its Medicaid block grant program under a new name that allows states to designate funding and put a cap on Medicaid spending. The program, dubbed Healthy Adults Opportunity, is an optional intervention initiative that fundamentally changes the way part of Medicaid is funded.

Thumbnail

CVS debuts insulin program with no out-of-pocket costs

CVS Health recently launched an insulin program for employers and health plan sponsors to offer diabetes medications with zero out-of-pocket costs for members. The program could help alleviate the rising costs of insulin for people managing diabetes.

Thumbnail

CMS expands coverage to genetic sequencing for cancer patients

CMS will now cover Next Generation Sequencing through FDA-approved or cleared lab diagnostic tests for patients with inherited ovarian or breast cancer.

Thumbnail

Physician practice leaders ‘alarmed’ by skyrocketing cost of prior authorization policies

A new analysis estimates that the price tag for radiologists and other specialties to manually generate a prior authorization increased 60% between 2018 and 2019. 

Thumbnail

Conservative groups launch ad blitz to stop surprise medical billing proposal opposed by radiologists

The “Coalition Against Rate-Setting,” launched in January, wants to bury bipartisan legislation proposed to address this issue. 

Thumbnail

Pharma industry lobbying hit $29M in 2019

The pharmaceutical industry upped its lobbying efforts in 2019, with a record-high of $29 million spent lobbying Congress.

Thumbnail

Civica Rx, Blue Cross Blue Shield tackle high-cost generic medications with new subsidiary

Civica Rx and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and 18 of its health plans have teamed up to create a new subsidiary that will target low-cost generic drugs.

Thumbnail

How US could fall behind China in AI development

The United States is still viewed as the world’s leader in researching and developing AI solutions—but could that reputation be at stake?