Health Policy
House passes bill to boost hospital price transparency
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed legislation aimed at increasing transparency in hospital pricing on September 12, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Republicans, requires hospitals to disclose standard charges for services in advance. The bill now moves to the Senate amid partisan divides.
CMS finalizes rule to streamline Medicare prior authorizations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a rule to reduce administrative burdens from prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans. The policy aims to speed up approvals and improve patient access to care. It will affect millions of enrollees starting in 2026.
Senate confirms Robert Califf as FDA commissioner
Reported by AI
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration amid ongoing public health challenges. Califf, a cardiologist with prior FDA experience, was approved in a bipartisan vote. This move aims to stabilize the agency during debates over drug approvals and regulations.
Federal judge upholds FDA authority over lab-developed tests
Reported by AI
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) possesses the authority to regulate lab-developed tests (LDTs) as medical devices. This decision comes amid ongoing debates over the oversight of in-house diagnostic tools used by clinical laboratories.