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.

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials
MGMA and others who are part of the “Regulatory Relief Coalition” are urging Congress to continue pushing forward with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
Russian researcher strategizes on collaboration with China over healthcare AI
Have you ever wondered what China and Russia would talk about if they were to discuss AI in healthcare? It turns out they do just that—and a newly published academic paper straight out of the Russian Federation offers a glimpse into the dialogue.
10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software
The artificial intelligence-enabled software offers accelerated acquisition times, improved image resolution and one-click workflows for technologists.
'Technical issue' prevents providers from receiving alerts on actionable imaging findings for 3 years
The system uses color coded flags to alert general practitioners that a patient's imaging report contains "serious or unexpected” findings.
FDA shares warning after Johnson & Johnson heart pump controllers linked to 3 deaths
Johnson & Johnson MedTech has received reports of its Automated Impella Controller failing to connect properly with Impella heart pumps. If this happens, the FDA warned, it may put patients at risk.

Industry groups oppose proposed myocardial PET cuts

When CMS released the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, it included revisions that could lead to technical component payment reductions of up to 80% for certain services related to myocardial PET scans.

Survey: Consumers aren’t fond of the pharma industry

The reputation of the pharmaceutical industry is tanking among U.S. consumers, the latest Gallup poll reveals.

How insurers are grappling with million-dollar therapies

New gene therapies are carrying price tags in the millions, leaving insurers scrambling to figure out how to cover them and offer the treatments to enrollees, according to The Wall Street Journal.

ASTRO shares new guidelines on pancreatic cancer treatment

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has created new guidelines on the use of radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer patients.

$69B CVS-Aetna deal cleared by court

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon has approved the $69 billion acquisition of Aetna by CVS Health, he announced in an opinion on Sept. 4.

OIG audit reveals Medicare overpaid millions for prescription drugs in hospice care

Medicare Part D overpaid millions of dollars for prescription drugs that should have been covered by the Medicare Part A hospice benefit, according to a recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which conducted an audit from 2016 payments. In other words, CMS paid twice for the same drugs.

Purdue Pharma prepares for bankruptcy

Purdue Pharma, the maker of popular opioid OxyContin, is preparing to file for bankruptcy before the end of September if the company doesn’t reach a settlement over thousands of lawsuits against the company for its role in the opioid abuse epidemic, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

RANZCR shares guidelines on ethical use of AI in healthcare

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) has published new guidelines on the ethical application of AI in healthcare.

Policy & Regulations

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials

Russian researcher strategizes on collaboration with China over healthcare AI

10-second brain MRI scans possible with newly FDA-cleared deep learning reconstruction software

'Technical issue' prevents providers from receiving alerts on actionable imaging findings for 3 years

FDA shares warning after Johnson & Johnson heart pump controllers linked to 3 deaths