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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Interventional radiology societies endorse prostatic artery embolization for certain patients

The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and numerous other societies have endorsed prostatic artery embolization (PEA) as a safe and effective method to treat an enlarged prostate in certain patients.

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CMS takes steps to beef up oversight of accrediting organizations

CMS has proposed a new rule that aims to improve transparency around accrediting organizations (AOs) that certify healthcare facilities in the Medicare program. Specifically, the rule creates a new process for AOs to follow if there is a sale, transfer or purchase of assets in the ownership of the organization.

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FDA reminds PET imaging providers about proper generator use

Citing “recent incidents” that exposed patients to unnecessary radiation, the FDA has issued a reminder to imaging providers about the proper operation of rubidium-82 (Rb-82) generators used during PET imaging examinations.

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10 best and worst states for nurses

Not all states are equal when it comes to the job quality and opportunity of being a nurse the U.S. While the profession is in high demand, with expectations that the industry will double the rate of the average occupation by 2026, there are several challenges to being a nurse depending on location.

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Variations in healthcare prices don’t reflect quality

Within the same metro area, the price of some common health services can vary up to 39-fold, while services can differ 25-fold across areas, according to the latest issue brief from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI).

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HHS lowers monetary penalties for HIPAA violations

HHS has changed its regulations for civil monetary penalties (CMP) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), effectively lowering penalties across four categories of violations.

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Hospital employment, pay on the rise across the board

Overall U.S. hospital employment hit 5,223,000 in March, rising 2.11% over the 5,115,000 recorded in March of 2018, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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New FDA draft guidance examines devices with quantitative imaging functions

The FDA has released a new draft guidance focused on the completion of premarket submissions for medical devices with quantitative imaging functions.