The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday issued a warning regarding companies' use of consumers' biometric data, like facial recognition technology, saying there are "significant consumer privacy and data security concerns," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia and Minnesota.

• District of Columbia: FTC on Thursday issued a warning regarding companies' use of consumers' biometric data, like facial recognition technology, saying there are "significant consumer privacy and data security concerns." FTC also proposed changes to the Health Breach Notification Rule, including changing the definition of personal health record identifiable health information and adding new definitions of healthcare providers and services. "We view this policy statement as an important way to put companies on notice about the obligations they have under existing laws," FTC chair Lina Khan said. (Reed, Axios, 5/19; Turner, Modern Healthcare, 5/19)
• District of Columbia: The Supreme Court last week ruled 9-0 that patents granted to Amgen for its cholesterol drug Repatha should not have been granted, marking the end to a nine-year lawsuit in which Amgen argued Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals infringed on Amgen's patent with their drug Praluent, which works similarly to Repatha. A spokesperson for Amgen said the company is "disappointed" by the outcome but will "continue to fight for patent laws and policies that provide meaningful patent protection needed to foster breakthrough innovation." Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer in a statement said the Supreme Court's decision "protects access to [Praluent] and defends our industry and others against overreaching patent claims that cover an entire therapeutic category and could have a chilling effect on bringing lifesaving medicines to people in need." (Wolfe/Walker, Wall Street Journal, 5/18)
• Minnesota: The Minnesota legislature last week passed a labor bill that includes the creation of a nursing home standards board which will set minimum wages and benefits for nursing home workers, marking the first state in the country to do so. The bill is headed to Gov. Tim Walz (D) for his signature and has been identified by Walz as one of his priorities during the legislative session. (Eastabrook, Modern Healthcare, 5/22)