Top News
White House Announces Blueprint for AI Bill of Rights
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has identified five principles to guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems. These are: safe and effective systems, algorithmic discrimination protections, data privacy, notice and explanation, and human alternatives, consideration and fallback.
Administration
AHRQ Webinar on Optimizing Data Visualization to Improve Care
On October 19, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will host a panel discussion on the use of data visualization tools within a digital healthcare system to improve cognitive processes, workflows, and the patient experience. During the webinar, expert speakers will share findings from their own research on how to best use data visualization to improve care. For additional details and registration information, click here.
AHRQ’s Digital Healthcare Research Program
In its 2021 Annual Report, AHRQ describes completed and ongoing AHRQ-funded projects, including interventions that use digital healthcare tools to bring care to patients outside of traditional healthcare settings. The report also highlights emerging research that focuses on AHRQ’s priority areas, including the role of social determinants of health.
FDA Issues Final Guidance on Clinical Decision Support Software
On September 27, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued final guidance to clarify the scope of the FDA’s oversight of clinical decision support (CDS) software intended for health care professionals as devices. This guidance further clarifies that the FDA’s existing digital health policies continue to apply to software functions that meet the definition of a medical device, including those that are intended for use by patients or caregivers.
GAO Issues Report on Machine Learning in Health Care
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report on machine learning (ML) technologies for medical diagnostics. In the study, GAO identified challenges in the development of adaptive algorithms, integration of technologies into clinical workflow, and demonstration of real-world performance across clinical settings. GAO offered several policy options to enhance benefits and address challenges in machine learning. Policymakers could: provide guidance or policies to encourage or require the evaluation of ML diagnostic technologies across a range of deployment conditions and demographics representative of the intended use; develop or expand access to high-quality medical data to develop and test ML medical diagnostic technologies; and promote collaboration among developers, providers, and regulators in the development and adoption of ML diagnostic technologies.
GAO Report on Medicare Telehealth Oversight and Privacy/Security Risks
In a September 26 report, the GAO noted that Medicare has not comprehensively assessed the quality of care patients received, and lacks data on telehealth services delivered in patients' homes or via phone. GAO noted challenges in educating patients about privacy and security risks in sharing information through telehealth. GAO made several recommendations to better track the delivery of telehealth services through us of additional billing modifiers for audio-only visits, use of site of service codes, and assessment of the quality of services delivered under telehealth during the public health emergency. GAO further recommends the Office of Civil Rights develop educational material for patients to explain privacy and security risks associated with use of telehealth platforms.
CMS Issues RFI on National Provider Directory
As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ongoing work to improve access to care, reduce clinician burden, and support interoperability, CMS released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on the concept of CMS creating a directory with information on health care providers and services or a “National Directory of Healthcare Providers and Services” (NDH). CMS believes this could improve interoperability, patient choice, care coordination, and reduce provider and payer administrative burden. Comments are due December 6.
NIH CIO to Retire
Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, recently announced the retirement of Andrea Norris from her positions as NIH’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Center for Information Technology (CIT), effective December 31, 2022.
Legislation and Politics
Federal Government Funding
Congress approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until December 16. President Biden signed the measure into law. Lawmakers will need to address federal government appropriations for FY 2023 when they return to Washington after the November elections.
Medical Device Interoperability
Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (NC-03), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (IA-02), and Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) introduced the Better Interoperability for Devices (BID) Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review the interoperability, safety, and effectiveness of medical devices.
AMIA News & Notes
Register Now: AMIA 2022 Annual Symposium
Join us November 5-9 in Washington, D.C. for the largest informatics meeting worldwide. We have a full program featuring top content on the latest science in informatics and collaborative networking opportunities. Register by October 13 to receive your advance rate.
Around the Web
- 'All Options Are on the Table,' HHS Privacy Official Doubles Down on Data Protection; Nextgov
- Optum's Chief AI Officer: AI is Driving Value-Based Care Improvements; HealthLeaders Media
- Project Increases Telehealth Access Among Veterans Facing Homelessness; mHealth Intelligence
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.