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.

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately
The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall. If patients update their phone or watch apps as needed, they can continue to use these devices like normal.
Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV
The American College of Cardiology has shared new recommendations highlighting the protective benefits of a variety of vaccines. The new guidance also examines how to speak with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims
The federal payment program first started paying for AI in 2018 and has denied about 53% of claims (or 53,857) submitted by radiologists since then, experts detail in JACR.
Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages
Lawmakers in both chambers have reintroduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, touting support from the American Hospital Association and several physician societies.
Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027
The measure evaluates the proportion of scans that exceed certain thresholds for image noise or radiation dose across 18 categories.

Search engines unequally inhospitable to antivaxxers

Privacy-first search engines brought back numerous sites when researchers entered the words vaccine and autism. Google turned up zero. Is that impressive—or glaring?

Quash ‘reckless’ Medicare cuts that could cost radiology billions, lawmakers urge Congress

Led by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., the bipartisan group of 92 House members want leaders to waive budget neutrality requirements tied to E/M codes.

County could cut $116M in spending on imaging, other services by steering patients toward cheaper options

That’s according to a recently released analysis out of the Pioneer Institute, a Boston-based think tank.

Imaging groups urge USPSTF to remove 'arbitrary' cutoffs, expand lung cancer screening eligibility

The ACR and MITA both strongly support the proposal to lower screening age and smoking history requirements, but say the recent changes do not go far enough.

Debate over hybrid classrooms a signpost of back-to-school health troubles ahead

On its face, hybrid schooling appears a prudent compromise during the COVID-19 crisis. However, it’s awfully easy to find health and education experts crying Stop the madness.

$35M funding opportunity for Mo-99, Siemens FDA approval, and more imaging vendor news

Plus, RadNet and Hologic team up to advance artificial intelligence in breast imaging, and GE Healthcare strikes a distribution deal.

Teladoc agrees to buy chronic care company Livongo in $18.5B deal

Both organizations have seen their stock prices skyrocket during the pandemic, with the new organization on track to tally nearly $1.3 billion in revenue this year.

Notes from China: 3 of the most important—and scariest—things you’ll read about AI all month

In the late 1700s the English social theorist Jeremy Bentham sketched out a prison in which a single guard could control hundreds of inmates. The trick was to let the men know they could be seen 24/7 while the guard on duty was hidden from their view.

Policy & Regulations

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately

Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV

Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims

Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages

Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027