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. 

National Institutes of Health NIH

American College of Radiology joins legal fight against NIH cuts

ACR and 10 other medical societies filed a “friend of the court” brief in an ongoing lawsuit against the National Institutes of Health, HHS and their leaders. 

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

American College of Cardiology now supports early use of medication to treat obesity

The group highlighted the proven effectiveness of these drugs, especially semaglutide and tirzepatide, while noting that eligibility, affordability and availability will still play key roles in any treatment decisions. 

Dana Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, chief executive officer of the American College of Radiology, explains an American Medical Association (AMA) resolution ACR is supporting to expand low-dose CT lung cancer screenings and coronary calcium scoring.

AMA resolution backs expanded low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer, heart risk

Dana Smetherman, MD, CEO of the American College of Radiology, discusses the policy, which urges for more robust promotion of low-dose CT as a public health tool. 

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Papers discussing ‘gender’ have been restored to government website

The information was deleted to comply with an executive order from President Trump that censored content related to “gender ideology.” However, a federal judge has ordered the content restored as a court battle looms. 

Cook Medical angiographic catheter recall

Angiographic catheters recalled due to safety risk

The new Class I recall includes nearly 27,000 devices that could potentially experience a harmful defect during use. 

David Winchester, MD, chair of the ACC Board of Governors, professor of cardiology and radiology at the University of Florida, explains why the cardiology societies are asking the AMA to get involved in dispute over denial of an independent cardiovascular board.

AMA agrees to help after initial request for an independent cardiovascular board was denied

After their proposal for a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine was shot down earlier this year, cardiology groups have asked the AMA for some support. "We feel like it's time for us to blaze our own path," one specialist explained. 

AMA president Bruce Scott, MD, warns prior authorization is hurting patients and causing doctors to call it quits.

AMA president warns prior authorization hurting patients, driving burnout and practice closures

American Medical Association President Bruce Scott, MD, explains the growing issues with insurance prior authorization impacting patient care and what the AMA is doing about it.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Cannabis is bad for the heart—should the risk be taken more seriously?

Use of the drug more than doubles a person's risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis of 24 different studies. In a separate editorial, two physicians shared their concerns and highlighted the importance of discussing these risks with patients.