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.

DOJ accuses doctor of illegally prescribing opiates in exchange for sex
Ritesh Kalra, MD, allegedly wrote 31,000 opioid prescriptions between 2019 and 2025, many of which were illegitimate. He is accused of inappropriately touching patients in exchange for oxycodone scripts as part of a five-count criminal indictment.
Assembly issue spurs FDA recall on manual resuscitators
A problem with the B/V filters on SunMed adult resuscitators can cause the devices to malfunction. Due to the high safety risk this poses to patients, the FDA has assigned this recall its most serious designation.
Bipartisan lawmakers seek to increase funding for mobile CT lung cancer screening
The Mobile Cancer Screening Act would offer grants to help imaging providers purchase mobile CT screening units through the federal government.
Healthcare AI today: Pittsburgh’s bonanza, Bay area’s superstars, Dr. Google’s followers, more
The numbers from Pittsburgh are staggering. And they’re all about blasting American-made AI into the stratosphere, if not to Infinity and beyond.
Two insurers dominate most Medicare Advantage markets, report finds
Over 97% of all counties in the U.S. see high or very high levels of consolidation in Medicare Advantage markets, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana owning the most plans nationwide.

Weakening economy impacts patient choices about healthcare

A whopping 40% of patients said the state of the economy affects how often they seek medical care, according to a recent TransUnion Healthcare survey. Further, a quarter of people said they felt prompted to use their existing insurance for treatment they may have been putting off when they heard news about a worsening economy.

AMA lays out recommendations to improve opioid crisis

The American Medical Association is joining forces with healthcare groups to urge policymakers to make changes to remove barriers to opioid addiction treatment.

CMS blames Obamacare prices for rising uninsured rate

The rate of uninsured Americans rose for the first time in roughly a decade in 2018, and the Trump administration is placing the blame of the trend squarely on Obamacare.

ASRT comments on imaging licensure bill in Pennsylvania

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) released a statement Sep. 12, announcing their support of a new bill that would create regulations and licensure for medical imaging and radiation professionals.

Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy in opioid settlement

Purdue Pharma, a drug manufacturer and maker of the popular opioid OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy in the fallout of thousands of lawsuits targeting the company for its role in the national opioid abuse and overdose epidemic.

ASRT supports new licensure bill in Pennsylvania

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) has announced its support of a new licensure bill introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Walmart’s care clinic is just the start of its healthcare plan

Fresh off the heels of its announcement to enter primary care with its own clinic, retail giant Walmart is preparing a big push into the healthcare space.

US uninsured rate is rising

The rate of uninsured Americans in 2018 rose for the first time since the Affordable Care Act went into place, according to new data from the Census Bureau.

Policy & Regulations

DOJ accuses doctor of illegally prescribing opiates in exchange for sex

Assembly issue spurs FDA recall on manual resuscitators

Bipartisan lawmakers seek to increase funding for mobile CT lung cancer screening

Healthcare AI today: Pittsburgh’s bonanza, Bay area’s superstars, Dr. Google’s followers, more

Two insurers dominate most Medicare Advantage markets, report finds