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.

Hospital groups file lawsuit to block price transparency rule

A group of prominent hospital associations have filed a lawsuit against HHS to stop the implementation of a rule that requires hospitals to post their prices for services online and update it regularly.

December 4, 2019

Trump may loosen drug patent protections to push trade pact

The pharmaceutical industry could be in for a loss as the Trump administration considers easing patent protection rules in order to garner support from Democrats for a new trade pact between the U.S., Mexico and Canada––USMCA, The Wall Street Journal reported.

December 4, 2019

HHS to make HIV prevention medication free for uninsured

HHS has announced a new initiative to make a medication taken to prevent HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, available for free to those without prescription drug insurance coverage.

December 4, 2019

CVS enters new deal with Centene

CVS Health is acquiring Centene’s Illinois health plan subsidiary, IlliniCare Health Plan, the companies announced Dec. 2. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

December 3, 2019

Global medical costs will rise again in 2020

Medical care costs are set to rise again in 2020, with a projected increased of 6.8%, according to the 2020 Global Medical Trends Survey Report from Willis Towers Watson.

December 2, 2019

According to calculations comparing catheter ablation with drug therapy, the additional quality-adjusted life-years that can result from the treatment justify its increased costs.

Reconciliation limitations led CMS to overpay hospitals $500M

Hospitals were overpaid by roughly $502 million from 2011 to 2014, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which blamed the overpayment on CMS limitations on the reconciliation period.

December 2, 2019

a tray full of injectable medications and several cups full of pills

Trump’s drug importation plan faces news challenges

President Trump’s plan to allow the importation of certain drugs from Canada is facing new challenges from the Canadian government, according to The Hill.

December 2, 2019

Feds open criminal probe into opioid makers

Pharmaceutical companies are under fire again for their role in the national opioid abuse epidemic, and this time, it could be criminal. Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal probe to determine if pharmaceutical companies intentionally allowed the flow of opioid drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported.

November 27, 2019

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.