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.

Advocacy group asks Congress for $377M increase in funds for the FDA
The Alliance for a Stronger FDA said the increase is necessary to pay salaries and cover the organization's ballooning operational expenses.
FDA clears advanced AI model for predicting heart failure risk
The new algorithm from Implicity evaluates implantable device data and monitors patients for changes that suggest they could experience severe heart failure symptoms in the near future. It was designed to alert clinicians up to weeks in advance.
Maryland enacts sweeping ban on noncompetes for all healthcare professionals
The new law will ban noncompetes in the state for all healthcare workers who provide care, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?
This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.
FDA set to evaluate use of ‘ecstasy’ for treating PTSD
The party drug could soon be prescribed, in conjunction with psychological interventions, as a treatment for mental health disorders.

Editorial: Americans ill-informed about ACA thanks to Democrats, Republicans

The mass confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act—which includes rules forbidding insurance companies from denying coverage and promotes free preventative care, among many other provisions—is the fault of both Democrats and Republicans, according to The Hill.

October 13, 2014

Massachusetts is first state to require price transparency

On Oct. 1, Massachusetts became the first state to require insurers to post real-time prices of procedures and visits, reports WBUR.

October 8, 2014

New version of HealthCare.gov goes live

Federal officials have released a new version of HealthCare.gov, which features a streamlined application process for those signing up for the first time, reports ABC News.

October 8, 2014

2,610 hospitals hit with 30-day readmission penalties

Medicare is expected to cut payments for a record-breaking 2,610 hospitals because of failure to reign in 30-day readmissions, reports Kaiser Health News.

October 6, 2014

Editorial: Let vets receive care where they choose

Veterans have been waiting three months or longer for initial physician appointments during a time when the healthcare ecosystem outside the Department of Veteran Affairs struggles to fill beds and open slots.

October 4, 2014

HealthCare.gov will allow consumers to “window shop”

Entering year two, HealthCare.gov continues to evolve. The sign-up portal soon will allow customers to “window shop” for health plans prior to starting the enrollment process, reports Bloomberg.

October 4, 2014

On HealthCare.gov anniversary, Republicans still bring up tech issues

Republicans continue to cite HealthCare.gov’s rocky launch when making the case against the Affordable Care Act, reports the Washington Post.

October 1, 2014

U.S. District Court rules against ACA tax credits

Judge Ronald White of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has ruled that the Affordable Care Act does not authorize federal exchanges to issue premium tax credits, reports Health Affairs.

October 1, 2014

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?

This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death

The recall includes specific lots of five different medical devices used to treat stroke and other neurovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.