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.

Repeat imaging rates higher when scans are interpreted by nurse practitioners, physician assistants
The finding is based on an analysis of nearly 1.4 million office-based imaging claims, conducted by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute.
Members of Congress condemn Medicare model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the requirement of prior authorization for traditional Medicare services will kill seniors,” says Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis.
Referrers frequently failing to recommend patients for key interventional radiology procedure
An analysis of nearly 272,000 uterine fibroid healthcare encounters shows that only about 4% of women underwent uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive IR treatment option.
WSJ: UnitedHealth seeks meeting with Trump as part of lobbying effort
The Wall Street Journal said that President Donald Trump has yet to meet with company representatives. However, UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley reportedly met with members of the administration in Washington.
Joysticks recalled after power wheelchairs move on their own, injuring a patient
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of Mo-Vis BVBA joysticks after a faulty firmware version was linked to the malfunction. Users will need to have their devices upgraded.

After legislative push, last national payer holdout commits to covering DBT

Assistant Secretary of Defense Thomas McCaffery recently confirmed this TRICARE change in a letter to members of Congress.

Consumers think AI will be good for patient care—but some worries persist

A majority of U.S. consumers are confident AI will have a positive impact on both patients and healthcare providers, according to a new report from Blumberg Capital.

Surprise medical billing proposals could have ‘devastating unintended consequences’ on small radiology practices

Almost 900 docs spelled out those qualms in a sharply worded letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders sent Thursday, Dec. 5.

US healthcare spending grew 4.6% in 2018

National healthcare expenditures rose 4.6% in 2018, according to new figures from the CMS Office of Actuary.

ACOs saved $3.5B over 5 years

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) saved Medicare more than $3.53 billion from 2013 to 2017, according to a report from industry group the National Association of ACOs (NAACOS).

Hospital groups file lawsuit to block price transparency rule

A group of prominent hospital associations have filed a lawsuit against HHS to stop the implementation of a rule that requires hospitals to post their prices for services online and update it regularly.

Trump may loosen drug patent protections to push trade pact

The pharmaceutical industry could be in for a loss as the Trump administration considers easing patent protection rules in order to garner support from Democrats for a new trade pact between the U.S., Mexico and Canada––USMCA, The Wall Street Journal reported.

HHS to make HIV prevention medication free for uninsured

HHS has announced a new initiative to make a medication taken to prevent HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, available for free to those without prescription drug insurance coverage.

Policy & Regulations

Repeat imaging rates higher when scans are interpreted by nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Members of Congress condemn Medicare model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services

Referrers frequently failing to recommend patients for key interventional radiology procedure

WSJ: UnitedHealth seeks meeting with Trump as part of lobbying effort

Joysticks recalled after power wheelchairs move on their own, injuring a patient