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. 

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Political donations for radiologists may be more important than many realize

Radiologists who are higher wage earners and more aware of the federal advocacy process are more likely to donate to radiology political action committees (PACs), according to recent research published in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.

CDC releases new guidelines for children with mTBI

The CDC released new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children on Tuesday, Sept. 4, in JAMA Pediatrics.

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Institutional policy change cut annual oral contrast costs by 52%

Administrating oral contrasts to patients with nontraumatic abdominal pain in the emergency department (ED) amounted to more than $85,000 annually, according to authors of a single-institution study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

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Lawmakers introduce legislation to increase lung screening for U.S. coal miners

To help combat the recent resurgence of black lung disease in U.S. coal miners, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, recently introduced bipartisan legislation to increase participation in federal programs that treat or detect the disease through lung cancer screening, including lung CT scans.

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$3M data lab will examine relationship between imaging, policy

A $3 million partnership between the American College of Radiology’s Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute and the Georgia Institute of Technology will establish a data analytics lab that will examine how policy impacts medical imaging, the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.

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NEMA testifies, urging narrow targets, time limits on China tariffs

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) president and CEO, Kevin J. Cosgriff testified Aug. 21 at a public hearing by the Office of U.S. Trade Representatives (USTR) to voice the concerns of member companies regarding potential additional tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods—including medical imaging products.

FDA announces 3 initiatives to improve medical device development, safety

The FDA announced it is taking steps to advance innovation and surveillance for medical devices through the implementation of three initiatives related to the recent user fee re-authorization, according to an Aug. 16 news release.

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SNMMI urges FDA to help alleviate shortage of gallium-68

Currently, only one generator is FDA approved for the production of Ga-68 Dotatate injection (NetSpot), a radiopharmaceutical utilized for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and radionuclide therapy in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET), according to a SNMMI letter sent to the FDA on Aug. 6.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.