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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Political donations for radiologists may be more important than many realize

Radiologists who are higher wage earners and more aware of the federal advocacy process are more likely to donate to radiology political action committees (PACs), according to recent research published in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.

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Senate passes bill to ban ‘gag clauses’ in prescription drug purchases

A new bill unanimously passed by the Senate Wednesday would prohibit Medicare insurers from preventing pharmacies from telling consumers if their prescription drugs are cheaper if they pay out of pocket versus through their insurance.

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OxyContin won’t be covered by BCBS of Tennessee

In the middle of a national opioid epidemic, one major health insurance provider has decided it will no longer cover OxyContin prescriptions next year.

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Reporting expectations for BI-RADS category 5 classifications are feasible, achievable

When using the American College of Radiology’s Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to classify a breast lesion, radiologists are expected to only use the category 5 assessment when the likelihood of malignancy, or positive predictive value (PPV), is at least 95 percent. Is that a feasible expectation?

ACA benefits, healthcare costs huge issues for voters

Voters are thinking about healthcare when it comes to the upcoming 2018 midterm elections, with pre-existing conditions becoming a widespread concern and a top campaign issue, according to the latest tracking poll from Kaiser Health.

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CVS-Aetna, Cigna-Express Scripts deals close to DOJ clearance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is close to clearing two mega deals in the healthcare space, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

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UK's NHS spent $150M for radiology outsourcing in 2017

A new radiologist workforce report issued by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) for 2017 noted that the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) spent $150 million (£116 million) to outsource patient scans in response to the shortage of radiologists.

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Obamacare challenge heads into oral arguments

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is facing one of its biggest challenges to date as arguments began Wednesday, Sept. 5, in a live-or-die lawsuit that could potentially nullify the healthcare law.