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.

Another win for Wegovy: FDA approves higher semaglutide dose as part of new pilot program
Novo Nordisk will be selling the new 7.2-mg dose under the brand name Wegovy HD. The FDA's decision fell under a new pilot program intended to grant certain companies improved access and quicker approvals.
Radiologists, rad techs, physicists and nuclear medicine urge HHS to fix costly image-sharing processes
Imaging groups recently conveyed their concerns to Health and Human Services in a letter submitted March 16.
Former ACA Marketplace enrollee: ‘This is ridiculous—$1,200 and an $8,000 deductible for a healthy person. Really?’
A new KFF survey shows almost 10% of people who had an Obamacare Marketplace plan in 2025 decided to head into 2026 with no coverage at all. Another 28% re-enrolled but with a different—presumably lesser—plan.
FDA clears 2 new MR-guided breast biopsy tools
The products were developed with both patients and providers in mind and were designed to streamline the entire procedural process.
FDA clears MiniMed’s screenless, smartphone-controlled insulin pump
Just weeks after separating from Medtronic and going public, MiniMed secured FDA clearance for its next-generation insulin pump technology.

Industry support gathers for expanding MA benefits in 2020

Since CMS proposed expanding supplemental benefits for Medicare Advantage for the 2020 plan year, several industry groups have voiced their support, seeing opportunities to improve care for individuals with chronic illnesses and lower costs.

HHS proposal tackles drug rebates

HHS has proposed lowering drug costs by targeting the rebate system, which has recently come under scrutiny as an opaque setup that keeps drug prices high.

FDA posts final guidance on 'least burdensome’ approach for medical device regulation

“Applying the least burdensome approach means gathering the minimum amount of information necessary to adequately address a relevant regulatory question or issue through the most efficient manner at the right time,” according to the agency.

Zuckerberg Hospital pauses balance billing practice after media reports

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital has temporarily halted its “aggressive” billing practices after media reports brought backlash against the trauma center named after Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

CHI and Dignity complete merger, renamed CommonSpirit

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health have completed their merger, launching a new nonprofit Catholic health system, CommonSpirit Health. The deal brings together two of the nation’s largest Catholic healthcare systems.

HCA completes $1.5B acquisition of Mission Health

Nashville-based HCA Healthcare completed its purchase of Mission Health for approximately $1.5 billion.

ER doctors subpoenaed for incorrectly ordering imaging exams

Emergency room (ER) doctors at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence have been delivered subpoenas charging them with medical misconduct for incorrectly ordering imaging examinations, according to an article published Jan. 30 by Politico.

Human insulin therapy minimizes out-of-pocket costs for type 2 diabetics

Switching type 2 diabetics from analogue insulin therapies to human insulin products saves patients money without compromising health, according to new research published in JAMA.

Policy & Regulations

Another win for Wegovy: FDA approves higher semaglutide dose as part of new pilot program

Radiologists, rad techs, physicists and nuclear medicine urge HHS to fix costly image-sharing processes

Former ACA Marketplace enrollee: ‘This is ridiculous—$1,200 and an $8,000 deductible for a healthy person. Really?’

FDA clears 2 new MR-guided breast biopsy tools

FDA clears MiniMed’s screenless, smartphone-controlled insulin pump