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. 

Medicaid spending hit $581B in 2016

In 2016, Medicaid spending reached $581 billion—the highest level ever for the federal program—and covered an estimated 72 million beneficiaries. Over the next decade, spending is projected to rise 5.7 percent a year, topping $1 trillion by 2026.

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BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee expands Medicare coverage for cardiac PET

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has decided to expand Medicare coverage for cardiac PET, effective later this year.

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US medtech industry fears impact of China tariffs on imaging devices

As the trade war between the U.S. and China continues, the medical technology industry is bracing for heavy impact from China's $5 billion in tariffs on imported U.S. goods—including medical imaging devices and technology, according to an article published Sept. 24 by Forbes.

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PBMs blame insurers for high drug prices

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—the industry middlemen that negotiate drug prices—are passing on nearly all their savings to insurance providers, according to Terry Wilcox, co-founder and executive director of advocacy organization Patients Rising. His op-ed for The Hill placed the blame of high costs squarely on insurers.

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Another industry group speaks out against CVS-Aetna deal

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) wrote a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions in opposition to the $69 billion merger of CVS Health and Aetna.

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More industry groups oppose changes to ACO program

Nine industry groups have joined in opposition to CMS’s proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

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Alzheimer’s and dementia cases will double by 2060

As the American population ages, the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is set to explode, according to the CDC.

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CVS in ‘home stretch’ of antitrust process to acquire Aetna for $69B

CVS Health is in the “home stretch” of the regulatory process with the Justice Department and state regulators for its $69 billion merger with Aetna, according to CEO Larry Merlo.