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.

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.

Biotronik has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Solia CSP S pacing lead for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

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.

The new MRI contrast agent gadopiclenol, sold under the trade names Elucirem and Vueway by Bracco and Guerbet, used 50% less gadolinium that current MRI agents. #RSNA22 #RSNA

FDA approves expanded use of gadolinium-based imaging agent from Guerbet

Gadopiclenol is a macrocyclic high-relaxivity GBCA that contains less than half the amount of gadolinium that standard agents are formulated with.

Friederike Keating, MD, director, nuclear cardiology, at University of Vermont Health, and chair of American Society of nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Health Policy Committee, explains the support behind House Bill 7520 that aims to halt the Medicare's 2.5% efficiency adjustment cut to physician payments that was included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care

The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.

Nurse suing hospital for failing to head off vicious attack by patient

A hospital and its security contractor are facing legal trouble over a brutal beating taken by a unit nurse at the hands of a mentally ill inpatient a year ago.