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.

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.
FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths
Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications.
Rand releases bracing analysis of hospital prices; AHA repudiates approach, methodology
The Rand Corporation is reporting that, in 2022, employers and private insurers paid hospitals an average 254% more than what Medicare would have spent for the same services in the same facilities.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, who is a cardiologist, spoke at the opening session of the American Heart Association (AHA) last week about the need for doctors and health systems to step up to address two major problems - misinformation and health disparities.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf calls on cardiology to address health inequities and combat misinformation

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, who is a cardiologist, spoke at the opening session of the American Heart Association about the need to step up and address two major problems in the American healthcare system.

November 11, 2022

CMS provides update on its accountable care strategy

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is charging forward with its plan to bring Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries into coordinated care models.

November 10, 2022

ACC President Ed Fry, MD, an interventional and general cardiologist at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, and chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line, says Medicare cuts for 2023 are a tipping point that need to be a call to action across medicine. #AHA22 #ACC

VIDEO: ACC president says Medicare cuts should be a call to action across healthcare

American College of Cardiology President Edward Fry, MD, spoke about recent Medicare cuts at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Chicago.

November 9, 2022

Texas to repay $30M in care payments that didn’t meet requirements

The state of Texas may have claimed more than $30 million in federal funds for Medicaid uncompensated care payments that didn’t actually meet federal and state requirements.

November 8, 2022

ACO accountable care coordination shared savings

ACOs win in 2023 Physician Fee Schedule

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) were handed a big win in the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) with several changes to the shared savings program that will likely encourage participation.

November 3, 2022

Cardiologists, electrophysiologists ‘disappointed’ in final 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society issued a joint statement soon after CMS published its final rule for the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The groups warned that the final rule could threaten patient access to high-quality care.

November 2, 2022

CMS finalizes outpatient payment system

The final rule updated the OPPS payment rate by 3.8% for calendar year 2023, which CMS based on the 4.1% projected hospital market basket percentage increase and adjusted for 0.3 percentage points for productivity.

November 2, 2022

Medicare money payment physician. The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule.

CVS, Walgreens settle opioid lawsuits for $10B

CVS Health will pay $5 billion over the next 10 years, and Walgreens will pay $4.95 billion over the next 15 years.

November 2, 2022

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.