FDA released a promised “new era” food safety blueprint Monday (July 13) that builds on the Food Safety Modernization Act to enhance traceability, create tools to combat foodborne illnesses, modernize business models and foster a new culture of food safety based on lessons learned during the pandemic.

The Supreme Court Monday (July 13) released a calendar of cases it will hear in the first half of October, all of which were delayed from the Spring, but the high-profile case over the Affordable Care Act, California v. Texas, is still not scheduled.

HHS on Monday (July 13) finalized a rule that loosens privacy restrictions on substance use disorder records, inching towards fully aligning the strict privacy scheme with the less-stringent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules although additional rulemaking is needed for full alignment.

The House Appropriations Committee on Monday (July 13) passed an HHS spending bill by a vote of 30-22 that would hike HHS’ funding by $1.5 billion.

The insurance lobby last week released a short brief detailing the explosive growth in the use of telehealth services during the pandemic and offering policy recommendations to ensure the gains are protected once the public health emergency ends.

A Maryland federal court on Monday (July 13) temporarily prohibited FDA from enforcing certain in-person prescribing and dispensing requirements for the abortion drug mifepristone.

An infectious disease expert working closely with laboratories in Memphis, TN told Inside Health Policy that Poplar Healthcare received an emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 pool testing on Friday (July 10).

Accountable care organizations are in favor of increased use of telehealth during the public health emergency but are raising concerns that such e-visits may attach beneficiaries to ACOs without continued engagement.