Law & Legislation

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September 2025
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Leaders translate legislative priorities to perioperative practice

The wave of new legal requirements for surgical smoke evacuation across the country has given OR leaders a crash course in how to act on any new legislation. Based on this experience, complying with other new and pending laws will put these skills to the test. Major hurdles are likely…

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By: Carina Stanton
June 5, 2025
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Proposed HHS, NIH budget cuts reveal administration priorities

Editor's Note The Trump administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget calls for slashing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discretionary budget by $32 billion, a nearly 25% cut that brings the total to $95 billion. Fierce Healthcare reported the news June 2.  Although many of the proposed cuts…

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By: Matt Danford
June 3, 2025
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AHA urges HHS to cut regulations that burden hospitals and staff

Editor's Note The American Hospital Association (AHA) has called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to eliminate or ease a variety of federal regulations, arguing that excessive administrative rules drive up costs, reduce patient access, and hinder innovation, Modern Healthcare reported May 13. According to the article,…

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By: Matt Danford
May 16, 2025
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Federal grant cuts threaten hospital disaster readiness

Editor's Note Eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) key disaster preparedness grants could weaken hospital infrastructure and jeopardize care during future crises, according to a May 5 report in Modern Healthcare. As detailed in the article, the Trump administration has cut $3.3 billion in annual funding by ending the…

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By: Matt Danford
May 8, 2025
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Time for a surgical skills check? Inside the ACS stance on aging physicians

Takeaways • US surgeons have no mandated retirement age. According to the Aging Surgeon Program, “a patient death or serious negative event are currently the only things that prompt action to prevent a surgeon from practicing.” • Research on aging-related decline is clear, but nuanced, showing rates and scope vary…

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By: Brita Belli
May 7, 2025
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State AGs sue HHS over sweeping cuts

Editor's Note State attorneys general from 20 states filed suit to block major restructuring and layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alleging the actions bypass Congress, violate federal law, and endanger public health. As detailed in a May 5 report from Fierce Healthcare, the lawsuit seeks…

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By: Matt Danford
May 6, 2025
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ASCA 2025: Leading lawmaker reflects on surgery center priorities

Editor's Note At the 2025 Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) conference, discussion of legislative priorities extended beyond educational sessions. Thanks to a visit from the ranking lawmaker of the congressional subcommittee responsible for most healthcare policymaking, attendees also got first-hand insight into the latest negotiations on Capitol Hill. US Representative…

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By: Matt Danford
May 6, 2025
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Proposed Oregon legislation blocks AI tools from using 'nurse' title

Editor's Note Oregon lawmakers are advancing legislation that would ban artificial intelligence (AI) systems from using the title “nurse,” drawing strong support from professional nursing organizations. Chief Healthcare Executive reported the news April 16. As detailed in the article, the bill seeks to preserve the integrity of the nursing profession…

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By: Matt Danford
April 22, 2025
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CMS vision shifts as agency halts funding for state programs

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer approve federal matching funds for designated state health programs (DSHPs) and designated state investment programs (DSIPs) that are not directly related to Medicaid services. According to the April 10 announcement, the decision aims to preserve the core…

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By: Matt Danford
April 11, 2025
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GAO urges HHS to improve drug shortage response coordination

Editor's Note The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a formal mechanism for coordinating efforts to address ongoing drug shortages, which continue to jeopardize patient care nationwide. In a report released April 9, 2025, the GAO highlighted the critical…

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By: Matt Danford
April 10, 2025
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