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.

Radiology groups renew push for bill to reform prior authorization
Over 125 medical societies including several in radiology wrote to leaders in the House and Senate on Dec. 9, asking them to pass the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients
After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.
Radiologists, other specialists urge Congress to tap physician-owned hospitals in affordability talks
Over 40 medical societies including ACR are suggesting House lawmakers consider ending the 15-year ban on POHs.
California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy
The plaintiffs argue that the administration has overstepped its authority and that only Congress can levy such hefty fees. As noted in the lawsuit, healthcare relies on skilled labor immigration to bring doctors, nurses and researchers into the country.
When healthcare met politics with time running out: 3 new developments
The director of the National Institutes of Health and his principal deputy are touting their success at ‘curing’ the agency of its self-inflicted DEI disability.

International drug pricing index plan sent to White House

HHS has sent its proposal to base certain drug prices on an international index to the White House last week, according to a report from The Hill.

Drugmakers to merge in $63B deal

Two major, global pharmaceutical companies ––AbbVie and Allergan––are merging in a deal worth approximately $63 billion.

Trump order will require hospitals, insurers to disclose prices

President Trump's new executive order will enable HHS to require hospitals and insurers to disclose negotiated rates for healthcare services and give patients their out-of-pocket costs before their procedures, according to CNBC.

Medicaid work requirements aren’t boosting employment in Arkansas

Arkansas, the first state to implement work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, isn’t seeing the promised benefit of increased employment as a result of the new rules, according to a recent report from The Commonwealth Fund.

Repeal of ACA would leave 20M more uninsured

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would have serious, immediate consequences, according to the Urban Institute, including 20 million more uninsured people.

WSJ: Trump to draw executive order on healthcare prices

President Trump is planning to issue an executive order that will “compel the disclosure” of healthcare prices, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Not-for-profit hospitals act like corporate titans but don’t pay taxes

Not-for-profit hospitals don’t pay taxes, but many of them act like Fortune 500 companies, taking on operations that mimic corporate giants.

MITA backs provisional coverage of FDA-approved tech at HHS meeting

“New technologies that are approved by the FDA but not reimbursed by CMS face a classic ‘Catch 22’,” said Mark Carol, MD, chair of MITA’s Focused Ultrasound Section.

Policy & Regulations

Radiology groups renew push for bill to reform prior authorization

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

Radiologists, other specialists urge Congress to tap physician-owned hospitals in affordability talks

California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy

When healthcare met politics with time running out: 3 new developments