Philips CEO Frans van Houten to step down in October amid recall woes; Jakobs named successor

The leadership change comes amid the company’s ongoing recall problems, including negotiations on a consent decree with the Department of Justice.

By Ricky Zipp • Aug. 16, 2022

House passes bill extending ACA subsidies, allowing Medicare drug price negotiations

The bill, which passed on party lines in a 220-207 vote, will now head to President Joe Biden’s desk. He is expected to sign it into law this week.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 15, 2022

CDC, HHS release environmental index as federal government ramps up climate oversight

The index analyzes cumulative environmental factors at the individual census tract-level so local public health officials “can identify and map areas most at risk for the health impacts of environmental burden,” the HHS said.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 11, 2022

US takes step to expand monkeypox vaccine supply

The FDA authorized a new plan that could lead to a five-fold increase in available doses. European health officials may follow the agency's lead. 

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 10, 2022

Hospitals still fall short on price transparency, consumer group says

Hospitals pushed back on the Patient Rights Advocate report, which found that just 16% of hospitals were fully compliant with the price transparency law.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 10, 2022

HHS investing $60M to boost rural healthcare workforce

The latest funds build on $16 billion invested by the Biden administration to bolster rural healthcare last year, according to the HHS.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 9, 2022

Lilly criticizes Indiana abortion law, indicating it may look elsewhere to hire

After Indiana’s governor signed a near-total abortion ban into law, the drugmaker said it will rethink future hiring in the state.

By Delilah Alvarado • Aug. 8, 2022

CMS moves toward guidance on health equity, climate change

The CMS published feedback from commenters as the federal government and the Biden administration ramp up oversight of social issues.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 8, 2022

Senate passes bill extending ACA subsidies, adding Medicare price negotiations

The Inflation Reduction Act looked dead just weeks ago until Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced late last month that he had successfully negotiated with Democrats to pass it.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 8, 2022

Physician practices seek more time to comply with No Surprises rules

The Medical Group Management Association asked the HHS and the CMS to delay enforcement of parts of the statute until six months after any final rule is published.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 8, 2022

No ‘slam dunk fix’ in HIPAA privacy law to protect abortion patients

In an increasingly murky legal environment, providers should focus on minimizing and protecting the data they collect, experts said.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 5, 2022

Biden’s executive order seeks to ease access to abortion across state lines

The order follows the DOJ’s decision to sue Idaho over its near-total abortion ban as the end of Roe has left states to decide whether to outlaw the procedure.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 4, 2022

Monkeypox declared federal public health emergency

“We're prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 4, 2022

6 questions for the medtech industry if Congress doesn’t reauthorize FDA user fees on time

If Congress doesn’t pass the legislation before Sept. 30, furloughs and delays lie ahead for the agency.

By Elise Reuter • Aug. 4, 2022

Biden selects monkeypox response team

The president tapped two leaders with emergency management and public health backgrounds to lead the nation’s response to the disease as cases continue to climb.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 3, 2022

Number of uninsured Americans falls to all-time low

Policy experts are worried, however, that progress on coverage expansion will be threatened when a moratorium on Medicaid disenrollment ends.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 3, 2022

DOJ sues Idaho over near-total abortion ban in first post-Roe challenge

In a suit filed in Idaho’s southern district, the Department of Justice claimed that Idaho’s “near-absolute” abortion ban blocks clinicians from providing necessary care in medical emergencies as required by federal law. 

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 2, 2022

Providers say inpatient pay adjustment for inflation not sufficient

Groups like the American Hospital Association had asked for more adjustments, but the CMS declined to set aside its regulatory payment formula.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 2, 2022

Medicare Advantage plans make inflated dialysis payments, study says

Research published in Health Affairs found large chains in the consolidated dialysis sector have the market power to negotiate higher MA reimbursement.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 1, 2022

CMS calls for public input to improve Medicare Advantage

The agency wants feedback from a variety of voices on how it can strengthen the popular but increasingly controversial program.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 1, 2022

Senate Dems reach draft deal to extend ACA premiums, lower drug costs

The bill, part of a more than $300 billion package, extends enhanced ACA premiums and allows Medicare to negotiate select prescription drug prices starting in 2026.

By Sydney Halleman • July 29, 2022

CMS targets maternal health, extends postpartum coverage

The strategy to improve outcomes and equity includes ensuring access to reproductive healthcare services and adopting a new “birthing-friendly” hospital designation.

By Susan Kelly • July 27, 2022

HHS names new acting Civil Rights director

Melanie Fontes Rainer is now acting director of the HHS’ Office of Civil Rights. She will replace Lisa Pino, who has left the agency.

By Hailey Mensik • July 26, 2022

HHS proposes reinstating nondiscrimination protections stripped by Trump administration

One notable change includes language around clinical algorithms, prohibiting discrimination through the use of that technology in healthcare settings.

By Hailey Mensik • July 26, 2022

Most patients worry about data privacy, AMA survey says

The medical group said it fears that patients' digital data is being shared in violation of HIPAA protections.

By Susan Kelly • July 26, 2022