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.

In brief: Dems and GOPers both wrong about healthcare | Physician trainees literally going hungry | Uplifting points of 2025 light
Democrats want to keep Obamacare going. Republicans want to replace it, ideally with health savings accounts. Regardless of which approach holds sway this week—or whenever—either one would be woefully shortsighted.
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.

U.S. News & World Report children’s hospitals cardiology heart surgery

Radiology societies urge caution when implementing AI in pediatric imaging

Six professional organizations including the Society for Pediatric Radiology made their case in a joint statement published across multiple medical journals Nov. 25.

Medicare doubles payment for certain contrast-enhanced ultrasound scans

The federal payment program for seniors revealed the update in its hospital outpatient final rule, published in the Federal Register Nov. 25.

chatgpt artificial intelligence healthcare

Coalition of 36 AGs rejects Congressional push to bar states from regulating AI

The bipartisan group of attorneys general is pushing back against Congressional plans to bar states from regulating AI, machine learning and large language models.

White House announcement on healthcare called off, as GOP rejects ACA subsidies

President Donald Trump's plan included a two-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits. But without support from Congress, any such proposal has no chance of being implemented.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) system

Abbott shares safety concerns with millions of CGM sensors—7 deaths reported

Approximately 3 million FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors need to be replaced due to a risk of incorrect glucose readings. Abbott has received reports of 736 severe adverse events and seven deaths that may be related to this issue.

Cardiology groups share new recommendations for performing safe, effective cardiac ablations in ASCs

The timing of this new guidance from the Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology could not have been better—the document went live just as CMS finalized its decision to cover cardiac ablation procedures performed in ASCs.

Healthcare AI today: AI succeeds Hippocrates, Amazon looms large, 2026 predictions begin

The largest healthcare system in the Middle East is partnering with Nvidia to decode the human genome. If successful, the AI-heavy project will translate almost the entire language of heredity into actionable information.

Argon Medical Devices Option Elite IVC filter

IVC filter recalled due to injury risk

Customers are urged to stop using these devices right away.

Policy & Regulations

In brief: Dems and GOPers both wrong about healthcare | Physician trainees literally going hungry | Uplifting points of 2025 light

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