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.

It’s about to get harder for many Medicare patients to see a cardiologist
UnitedHealthcare now requires patients enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage plans to receive a PCP referral before seeing a cardiologist. On May 1, the insurer will start denying all claims that do not include the necessary referral. UnitedHealthcare argues that "stronger PCP engagement" is good for patient care, but many stakeholders disagree.
FDA approves new Biotronik pacing lead for LBBAP
The next-generation device includes a stylet-driven lead and a fixed helix. It was designed and developed specifically with LBBAP in mind.
With SCOTUS striking down ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Trump implements 15% tax on all imports
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs unconstitutional. The administration responded by imposing a 10% rate across the board, later hiked to 15%. That will remain in effect for 150 days and require an act of Congress to extend.
New group names 4 things US healthcare can—and should—handle on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers
Alzheimer’s disease already has the nation in a crisis of care capacity. The pressure to do more in response is mounting. Meanwhile the true total cost is hard to estimate since so many dementia caregivers are unpaid family members and other volunteers.
Teenage cannabis users twice as likely as non-users to develop psychosis, bipolar disorder
The new research doesn’t solve the mystery of which tends to come first—the mental illness or the drug use. Regardless, the large study serves to underscore the need for proactive and preventive measures.

Stereotaxis MAGIC SWEEP electrophysiology catheter

FDA clears first robotically guided EP mapping catheter for ablation

Stereotaxis has received FDA clearance for the first mapping catheter of its kind. The company emphasized that this is just the first of many robotically navigated devices it is working to bring to the U.S. market.

Ontario government reportedly pulling out of RSNA 2025

The province's Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade had previously exhibited at the world's largest medical imaging conference.

FDA approves updated standard related to breast density reporting

The American College of Radiology requested the update in June, with the changes now taking effect this month.

Uninsured stroke patient sues Maine Med over alleged denial of emergency care

Jamaica resident Edwin George Duffus, 65, claims the hospital discharged him after learning he didn’t have medical coverage. A federal court ruled his lawsuit can move forward.

prior authorization claim deny denial insurance insurer payer Medicare Advantage

House bill aims to bring parity to Medicare reimbursement

The Prompt and Fair Pay Act would require Medicare Advantage insurers to reimburse providers at traditional Medicare rates, effectively closing the payment gap between public and private plans.

Federal lawsuit in Texas marks first wrongful death case involving interstate abortion

A conservative lawyer is using the Comstock Act of 1873, which bans the mailing of obscene materials, to challenge the practice of sending abortion pills to states that have passed bans.

Alan Matsumoto, MD, FSIR, FACR, FAHA, chairman of the American College of Radiology Board, professor of radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, explains ACR support for the Texas Medical Association lawsuit three (TMA3) against the Department of Health and Human Service, because insurance companies are using the provisions of the law to to underpay providers for patient care.

ACR says insurance companies gaming the No Surprises Act with ghost rates

Alan Matsumoto, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology, discusses rad support for a Texas Medical Association lawsuit against the federal government.

Society of Interventional Radiology opposes value-based care proposal

Under the proposal, Medicare would add an interventional radiology payment pathway, creating a new reporting framework for IRs as part of MIPS.

Policy & Regulations

It’s about to get harder for many Medicare patients to see a cardiologist

FDA approves new Biotronik pacing lead for LBBAP

With SCOTUS striking down ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, Trump implements 15% tax on all imports

New group names 4 things US healthcare can—and should—handle on behalf of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers

Teenage cannabis users twice as likely as non-users to develop psychosis, bipolar disorder