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. 

microsoft building

Microsoft: Ransomware hit nearly 400 healthcare entities this year—a 300% rise since 2015

A study from Microsoft on the impact of ransomware found unaffected nearby hospitals see a rise in stroke and cardiac arrest cases, in addition to an influx of patients. 

UnitedHealth Group - 2

Feds make it official: Change data breach was the largest in healthcare history, impacting 100M

Updated reporting from HHS shows UnitedHealth Group's estimate that roughly one-third of people in the U.S. would be affected was correct. 

Medtronic Evolut FX+ TAVR

Medtronic’s next-generation TAVR device receives CE mark approval

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system, which already received FDA approval in March, was designed with improved coronary access in mind. One cardiologist described the device as a "significant step forward" for patients with heart disease. 

Breast CT University of Arizona Srinivasan Vedantham

Radiology researchers score $3M NIH grant to develop compression-free breast CT system

University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers will use the funds to help recruit volunteers, hoping to test the system on 600 women. 

FDA grants priority review for new brain cancer imaging agent

Pixclara (18F-FET) is a positron emission tomography product for the characterization of progressive or recurrent gliomas. 

phenylephrine FDA

FDA approves first RSV vaccine for adults

Pfizer's Abrysvo vaccine can now be prescribed to all adults 18 and older at high risk for severe RSV complications, including pregnant women. 

Chicago - Circa May 2018: Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters signage and logo.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York sued over ‘ghost networks’

Thousands of patients have filed a class-action lawsuit against the insurer for issuing directories of providers who were out-of-network and did not take BCBS health plans. 

Code AI artificial intelligence

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Ransomware attacks even hurt hospitals that aren’t hit.