Top News
ONC Releases USCDI v3
On July 19, ONC published U.S. Core Data for Interoperability v3, which added two new data classes (Health Insurance Information and Health Status/Assessments) and 24 data elements. ONC invites comments on new or existing data elements until September 30, 2022. ONC will release draft USCDI v4 in January 2023.
Administration
eConsent Discovery Workshop with ONC
On Thursday, August 16, 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, ONC is offering a half-day workshop to show how to manage eConsents through the life of patients. They will explore the technical standards and approaches to use eConsents within the context of applicable law. Register here.
HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division recently issued a guidance on nondiscrimination in telehealth. The guidance aims to help health care providers better understand their nondiscrimination obligations and patients better understand their rights under federal law in this area.
CMS RFI: Feedback to Improve Medicare Advantage Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information on how to improve the Medicare Advantage program. CMS seeks input on ways to achieve the Agency's vision so that all parts of Medicare are working towards a future where people with Medicare receive more equitable, high quality, and person-centered care that is affordable and sustainable. Feedback from stakeholders will help inform the Medicare Advantage policy development and implementation process.
NIH RFI: Strategic Planning for Research on the Health of Women
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) is updating the NIH Strategic Plan for Research on the Health of Women. NIH solicits input from basic, clinical, and translational scientists; advocacy and patient communities; and the public on topics under consideration for the next strategic plan. Comments are due September 29, 2022.
NIH RFI: Acquiring Electronic Health Record Data for All of Us Research Program
The NIH seeks input on how to best acquire and integrate electronic health record data from health information networks and health information exchanges into the All of Us Research Program dataset. The deadline for comments is August 31, 2022.
Legislation & Politics
U.S. House Passes the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act with Strong Bipartisan Support
Recently, the House of Representatives passed the “Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act.” This legislation would extend coverage of telehealth services under Medicare until at least December 31, 2024. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Senator Romney Proposes New Public Health Data Collection Agency
Senator Mitt Romney proposed to establish a Center for Public Health Data as a separate, independent subagency within HHS. The goal is to bolster infectious disease intelligence and preparedness. Noting that data already exists in electronic forms across laboratories, clinics, and hospitals, but is incomplete and fragmented across HHS and is not shared quickly enough to drive decision making, Senator Romney hopes this new subagency would aggregate existing data to make it more accessible in real time.
American Data Privacy and Protection Act Passes the House Energy and Commerce Committee
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved (53-2) comprehensive legislation to protect consumer privacy. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Around the Web
- House committee advances bill to install new prior authorization reforms for Medicare Advantage; Fierce Healthcare
- CDC to make monkeypox nationally notifiable condition; Reuters
- Research Reliability: Federal Actions Needed to Promote Stronger Research Practices; GAO
AMIA's Washington Download is your source for health informatics policy news and information from around the Beltway, covering action from the Hill, the Administration and important AMIA collaborators.