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.

Medicare cost-cutting initiative targets ‘wasteful, inappropriate’ interventional radiology services
Interventional radiologists criticized the CMS proposal, believing it could lead to excess morbidity and mortality in Medicare.
103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said “malicious actors” created fake accounts for Medicare beneficiaries through the agency’s patient portal, using stolen data from an unknown source. The incident is being investigated.
FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software
Spectrum V8 and V6 infusion pumps may have accidentally had their software switched, which could result in underinfusion or a fluid overload. While no injuries have been reported, for safety the affected pumps need to be removed from where they are used and sold.
Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval
According to Medtronic, its VitalFlow ECMO system was designed and developed with the user experience in mind.
State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’
However, those fighting the decision declared victory Monday after filing a lawsuit against the New York Department of Health.

LifePoint finalizes $5.6B merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners

LifePoint Health, a healthcare services company based in Tennessee, and RCCH HealthCare Partners completed their $5.6 billion merger on Nov. 16. The deal was originally announced in July.

Medicare improper payments drop to lowest rate since 2010

Medicare fee-for-service improper payments dropped to their lowest level since 2010 this year, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced on Nov. 16.

Pfizer to raise prices on 41 drugs in 2019

Drug manufacturer Pfizer announced it would raise the prices of 41 drugs in January 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Have not-for-profit hospitals peaked financially?

Not-for-profit hospitals may have already reached their financial peak, according to an analysis from Fitch Ratings. Lower operating margins and lower reimbursement payments are causing many hospital systems to rethink care delivery, but not all providers are able to meet the challenges head on, particularly in a period of mass consolidation.

GE Capital sells healthcare equipment business for $1.5B

GE Capital, the financial services division of GE, has sold is Healthcare Equipment Finance business to TIAA Bank for $1.5 billion.

California approves CVS Health-Aetna deal

Another regulator has cleared the way for the $69 billion deal between CVS Health and Aetna, as California approved the deal—with conditions.

Is media coverage of breast cancer screening recommendations doing women a disservice?

Over the last several years, most media coverage of breast cancer screening recommendations has focused on conflict and controversy, according to a new study published in Women’s Health Issues.

NHS announces major overhaul of cancer screening programs amid recent issues

NHS England has announced plans to do a major overall of its national cancer screening programs as part of its Long Term Plan, an initiative aimed to improve patient care and outcomes, according to an NHS press release published Nov. 15.

Policy & Regulations

Medicare cost-cutting initiative targets ‘wasteful, inappropriate’ interventional radiology services

103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS

FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software

Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval

State bans university from issuing new radiologic technologist licenses, leaving hundreds ‘in limbo’