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.

Change Healthcare faces second ransom as cybercriminals leak stolen data
A new hacker group is claiming credit for the data breach, first reported in February. Change Healthcare has already paid criminals a $22 million ransom.
The growing shortage or general cardiologists and recruiting crisis in rural America
There is a rapidly growing shortage in general cardiologists and for positions in rural areas, numerous healthcare system recruiters set up at the ACC reported.
CMS proposed rule would boost Medicare inpatient rates by 2.6%
CMS has issued a proposed rule that would result in a net increase of 2.6% to the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system rate for fiscal year 2025, a raise that hospital trade groups say doesn’t go far enough.
Payments to FDA advisory panel questioned
A recent investigation from KFF Health News about payments to members of an FDA panel evaluating an Abbott Laboratories cardiac device is raising eyebrows.
Drug price dialogues represent ‘an opportunity for CMS to clarify negotiation policies and their potential impact for the future’
CMS must ensure transparency, clarity and predictability by providing detailed guidance on comparator drug selection and the evaluation of evidence, according to a group of D.C.-based health policy researchers.

Hospital CEO files lawsuit after losing job over naked art exhibition

According to the former executive, he was barely involved in planning the offsite fundraiser. The hospital declined to comment.

September 18, 2023

Video of Denise Garris, ASE regulatory consultant and principal of the Korris Group, explaining how reimbursements from insurance andMedicare work to pay or cardiac ultrasound exams. #ASE #ASE360 #ASE23 #ASE2023 #healthcarereimbursment

Understanding reimbursements and coding for echocardiography

"I think everyone would agree that the current fee-for-service model is not working appropriately and there needs to be a fix," regulatory consultant Denise Garris explained in a new interview.

September 13, 2023

FDA shares update on heart devices linked to multiple recalls and patient deaths

The devices, designed to provide temporary support to a patient's left ventricle, have been associated with a long list of issues in recent months.

September 1, 2023

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is asking its interventional cardiologist members to take action to prevent further cuts in Medicare payments in 2024 by contacting their Congressmen. There were substantial cuts in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) payments to physicians in 2023 further cuts each year can only be prevented if Congress changes the laws for how CMS pays physicians.

Governors urge Congress to act now on medication shortages, supply chain insecurities

Eleven GOP governors joined together to call for a more transparent drug manufacturing supply chain.

August 31, 2023

AHA shares support of new prior authorization reform in letter to Congress

The American Hospital Association believes the Gold Card Act could help healthcare providers throughout the country avoid "dangerous delays."

August 31, 2023

Former Mayo Clinic researcher gets 18 years in prison for supporting ISIS

The man vowed to conduct "lone wolf" attacks in support of the terrorist group ISIS.

August 28, 2023

Should masks still be required at hospitals? Physicians push for a nuanced approach in face of uncertainty

A team of physicians examined the question of continued masking, urging healthcare leaders to work together in a new commentary in Annals of Internal Medicine.

August 24, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Recor Medical’s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) system for uncontrolled hypertension. The Recor system gained FDA clearance in November 2023.

FDA panel votes in favor of Recor Medical renal denervation system

A few members of the panel did question the device's efficacy and long-term durability. The FDA will now use these findings to make its final decision related to the system's approval.

August 23, 2023

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist salary update: Compensation jumps to $525K per year, No. 3 among all specialties

In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties.

Cardiovascular Business

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.

Cardiovascular Business

Johnson & Johnson to acquire Shockwave Medical for $13.1B

The rumors, it seems, were true. Once the deal is finalized, Shockwave Medical will operate as a business unit within Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

Policy & Regulations

Change Healthcare faces second ransom as cybercriminals leak stolen data

The growing shortage or general cardiologists and recruiting crisis in rural America

CMS proposed rule would boost Medicare inpatient rates by 2.6%

Payments to FDA advisory panel questioned

Drug price dialogues represent ‘an opportunity for CMS to clarify negotiation policies and their potential impact for the future’

Around the web