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. 

Medicare Provider

Millions of Americans could be affected by "work-for-Medicaid" ruling

A federal court hearing has been scheduled regarding the Trump administration’s decision to give states the power to enforce work requirements on Medicaid enrollees.

June 14, 2018
ACA

AMA opposes non-ACA-compliant insurance plans without protections for preexisting conditions

Despite claims otherwise from President Donald Trump, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land—though federal actions have increased instability in the ACA’s marketplaces. Following last year’s repeal of the individual mandate, insurers are now offering short-term, non-ACA-compliant policies, which could leave a sicker, older population shopping on ACA marketplaces.

June 12, 2018
Price transparency study in radiology

HHS seeks voluntary drug price cuts from pharma companies

Officials from HHS are currently talking with pharmaceutical companies to pursue voluntary price cuts as part of President Donald Trump’s drug pricing plan, The Hill reports.

June 12, 2018

Attack of single-payer could be winning strategy for California GOP

Five months before the 2018 midterm elections, California Republicans see their opponents’ embrace of exploring single-payer healthcare as an opportunity.

June 11, 2018
Opioids

CMS focuses on infants, IT solutions in guidance for battling opioid crisis

On Monday, June 11, CMS released guidance for states to leverage Medicaid in fighting opioid abuse and misuse—with the document making specific mention of efforts to reduce negative impact in infants and outlining potential benefits of health information technology.

June 11, 2018

KKR & Co to acquire Tennessee's Envision in $9.9B deal

Private equity firm KKR & Co. announced its plan to buy Envision Healthcare for $5.57 billion and debt. The all-cash transaction will value Envision at $9.9 billion, according to Bloomberg.

June 11, 2018

WSJ: Stryker eyes takeover of Boston Scientific to form $110B company

Stryker approached Boston Scientific with a takeover bid on Monday, June 11, according to the Wall Street Journal.

June 11, 2018
The U.S. Congress is working on healthcare legislation to fix medicare reimbursements and end annual cuts to physicians.

House Dem leader: ‘Medicare-for-all’ should be ‘evaluated’ if party takes House

Nancy Pelosi didn’t endorse any single-payer proposals as other Democrats have in the Senate, though she did reiterate her support for a government-run insurance option.

June 8, 2018