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. 

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ACR: Virtual colonoscopy has power to increase colorectal cancer screening throughout the US

The American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its recommendations for colorectal cancer screening this week, lowering the age people at average risk should begin screening from 50 to 45. The American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued a statement of its own, highlighting the benefits of virtual colonoscopy, an ACS-approved colorectal cancer screening method.

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S&P: 340B cuts will weaken nonprofit hospitals

The $1.6 billion in cuts to Medicare payments made under the 340B drug discount programs could add to the financial stress of smaller not-for-profit hospitals and health systems, according to Standard & Poor (S&P)’s Global Ratings.

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Industry groups overwhelmingly oppose short-term insurance, AHP proposals

“Basically, anybody who knows anything about healthcare is opposed to these proposals,” said Sandy Praeger, a former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

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ACS recommends people at average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45

The American Cancer Society (ACS) announced Wednesday, March 30, that it has updated its guideline for colorectal cancer screening, changing the age people at average risk should begin screening from 50 to 45.

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WellCare to buy Meridian Health Plans for $2.5B

One of the largest insurers in the U.S. behind the Big Five of UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and Humana, WellCare would add more Medicaid and Medicare Advantage (MA) members with the purchase of Meridian Health Plans.

FDA approves AI software to detect wrist fractures

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave software company Imagen permission to market its artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system OsteoDetect.

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California’s rate-setting bill shelved

The legislation, sponsored by California Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose, would have created a state commission to set rates for many medical services currently covered by private insurers in the group and nongroup markets.

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Insurers’ secretive deals with hospitals can force patients to pay exorbitant rates

Michael Frank has worked for health insurance companies for decades, doing the actuarial science which determines how much people should pay in monthly premiums. He knows insurers are supposed to be his “advocate” to restrain costs and get him a fair rate—so he was shocked when Aetna agreed to pay $70,000 to NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City for his partial hip replacement.