The use of antibiotics in animal food has been an ongoing debate. In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tried and failed to limit the use of antibiotics in animal feeds. This loss in 1977 helps explain why the agency is so trepid in pursuing any significant action and why clear legislation is … Continue reading
President Obama signed the IMPACT Act into law on October 6. The law had overwhelming bipartisan support and will bring increased federal oversight to hospice programs across the country. The legislation mainly addresses how nursing homes, rehab-centers, and home health agencies assess and report data on quality and other measures. However, buried in the new law … Continue reading
Established in 1906, the Food and Drug Administration’s job is to ensure the protection and promotion of public health. The FDA’s heavily invested power over product regulation comes with an even greater responsibility to safely serve the public. The FDA is under fire for underplaying that responsibility by approving the painkiller Zohydro, which is a pill containing … Continue reading
The Affordable Care Act is attempting to bridge the health disparity gap in mental health services of millions of people who were previously uninsured or whose policies did not include mental health coverage before. However, as millions of Americans now gain health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, the reality of the difficulties … Continue reading
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to regulate laboratory diagnostic tests (LDTs) is gaining momentum, but also facing much criticism. The FDA recently informed Congress of their intent to regulate LDTs, which previously did not require FDA approval. The FDA has yet to release their draft guidance documents, but they are on track … Continue reading
Policy Interns 