Since the new administration took office two months ago on January 20, there have been swift changes in federal policy and personnel. This has created much uncertainty for our Informatics community and beyond.
AMIA leadership has been closely following the Administration’s decision making and court responses, the challenges facing these policy changes, and the effect these changes are having on our members and their patients. We have been in constant contact with our federal partners, collaborative organizations including other professional societies, and larger networks in order to ensure that AMIA takes supportive action on behalf of our membership and profession.
AMIA remains committed to our mission and core values. We will continue to advocate for federal funding for critical research and workforce programs, support sound research policy, and participate in community advocacy. Our resolve is steadfast in ensuring the community's goals and priorities are reflected in our advocacy and in adding our voice to shared efforts.
During the past several weeks, we have created new advocacy tactics and new ways for you to get involved personally.
Here are some specific ways that you can take action:
Join the Friends of ASTP, a free, voluntary coalition of organizations recently launched by AMIA.
The coalition has already reached out to HHS Secretary Kennedy to discuss the value of Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP, fka the Officer of the National Coordinator [ONC]) to the United States healthcare system with regard to national EHR adoption, interoperability, and other digital health advancements. This coalition is making a splash inside the Beltway and was recently featured in Inside Health Policy. The concerted action of the Friends of ASTP is just building momentum and will continue to advocate for ASTP and its priorities.
Call your representatives and urge them to protect Informatics using the following AMIA talking points.
Our team wants you to be prepared to take action where you are. AMIA’s current talking points focus on AMIA’s core values and concerns of our members. These points offer a turnkey solution which can be personalized when messaging to your local representatives.
Stay Informed.
Washington Download, AMIA’s biweekly policy newsletter, provides resources for tracking informatics-relevant policy changes, AMIA policy projects, and opportunities to engage. More information can also be found on AMIA’s policy webpages.
How are policy changes impacting you? Tell us your story.
Email [email protected] to share how recent changes are affecting your work and your patients’ access to care. Your first-hand experience provides powerful context that our Policy team can use in advocacy communication with decision makers and provides the AMIA Board with real-world perspective on the broad scope of practice settings within our community.
We encourage you to engage with the AMIA community and mission as a supportive network for yourself and your work. AMIA as an organization will continue to engage actively in communicating, advocating, and confronting this rapidly evolving environment. Together, we will continue to pursue our mission to advance the informatics profession, living out our core values of championing scientific integrity, making an impact, and demonstrating inclusivity and collaboration.
Yours sincerely,
Genevieve Melton-Meaux, MD, PhD, FACMI
AMIA President and Board Chair
Professor of Surgery and Health Informatics
Senior Associate Dean, Health Informatics and Data Science
Director, Center for Learning Health System Sciences
University of Minnesota
Chief Analytics and Care Innovation Officer, M Health Fairview