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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Where Medicare Advantage will cost the least in 2019

Healthcare costs around the country vary across settings and services, and the same is true for Medicare Advantage, which is expected to grow to 22.6 million members in 2019.

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Mayo Clinic receives $200M gift

A philanthropist has given $200 million to Mayo Clinic in what is the largest-ever donation to the nonprofit hospital system.

NYT: Hospital mergers lead to higher costs for patients

On the surface, hospital mergers may seem like an opportunity to create benefits for consumers, including more resources for top-notch care and lower costs. However, cheaper prices aren’t a likely outcome, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

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CMS to allow Medicaid mental health demonstrations

CMS sent state Medicaid directors an email on Nov. 13 announcing new opportunities to design service delivery systems for treating mental health. The announcement eases previous prohibitions against using Medicaid funding to pay for short-term residential treatment in an institution for mental disease.

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Envision reaches contract agreement with Cigna

Envision Healthcare has reached a new statewide agreement with Cigna Healthcare of Arizona. The multiyear agreement ensures Envision’s clinicians are in-network.

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ASTRO concerned about mandatory participation in forthcoming radiation oncology APM

Over the coming weeks, CMS will unveil a mandatory Medicare payment model for radiation oncology, Alex Azar, Health and Human Services secretary, said in a recent speech. The announcement drew a mixed reaction from the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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Radiologist calls for NRA to join physicians in fight to reduce gun violence

Physicians across the country have expressed outrage after the National Rifle Association (NRA) issued a tweet telling them to “stay in their lane” with regards to getting involved in gun reform conversations, according to a report in the Washington Post.

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FDA will strengthen expanded access program for non-approved treatments

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, has signaled that the agency will strengthen its expanded access (EA) program to enable more patients to access investigational medical products and treatments for serious or life-threatening diseases.