Top News
Latest Public Comment Letters Submitted by AMIA in 2023
United States Core Data for Interoperability Draft V4
AMIA encourages the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure that United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) will decrease burden with common elements for interoperable exchange. Increasing burden on clinical workflow will be a detriment to all stakeholders. The belief is the lack of clear definition of certain data classes and elements will add to burden. Notably, AMIA recognizes the overarching challenge to craft this common data set to be equally credible, electronically consumable, and useful to patients, providers, and payers alike. View the letter.
Office of Management and Budget Initial Proposals for Updating Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards
AMIA appreciates the efforts of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards Working Group and the Office of the Chief Statistician to improve the quality and usefulness of federal race and ethnicity data. The current (1997) race and ethnicity standards should be revised to capture data that reflect the diversity of the U.S. population more accurately. AMIA commends the effort to ensure any changes to existing categories are the product of interagency collaboration. See the details.
ONC Releases New Proposed Rule - Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1)
This proposed rule would implement certain provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act and includes new and updated standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria. The ONC states implementation of the proposed rule's provisions will advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. Comments due June 20. View the proposed rule.
Regulatory
Leading Edge Acceleration Projects in Health Information Technology Notice of Funding Opportunity
Focal areas for this opportunity are: 1) Exploring the Use of Advanced Fast Health Care Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) Capabilities and 2) Identifying Data Quality Improvements for United States Core Data Interoperability Data Elements. An informational session will be held on April 25 from 1:00-2:00 pm ET. Applications due June 12 with a letter of intent requested by April 28. See details on this funding opportunity.
CMS Issues IPPS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued the FY 2024 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. For acute care hospitals paid under the IPPS that successfully participate in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program and are meaningful electronic health record users, the proposed increase in operating payment rates for FY 2024 is projected to be 2.8%. Other items of interest include the CMS proposal to add 15 new health equity hospital categorizations for the FY 2024 IPPS payment impacts. View the CMS fact sheet.
HIPAA and Reproductive Health Care
Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule to strengthen Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule protections by prohibiting the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI) to investigate or prosecute patients, providers, and others involved in the provision of legal reproductive health care, including abortion care. Learn more.
AHRQ Nominations
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeks nominations for new members to join the AHRQ National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC advises AHRQ's Director and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on activities proposed or undertaken to carry out AHRQ's statutory mission. The Agency seeks diverse representation geographically and across priority and underrepresented populations. NAC members meet three times a year. Applicants should submit a résumé and statement of service before the May 27 deadline. Get more details.
Industry News
May 10 Info Session: Learn How You Can Advance Your Career at Columbia
Translate insights into lasting change with Columbia University's M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS). Join program and admissions representatives to learn about the faculty's current research, what the student experience is like and how our alumni have applied the knowledge they gained from the IKNS program. RSVP for this event on May 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Legislation and Politics
Potential Medicare Payment Update
Legislation was recently introduced by Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA), H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, to add an inflation-based payment update to payment rates under the Medicare program. Read more about the legislation.
Around the Web
- EHR a key contributing factor to diagnostic errors in radiology, legal claims analysis finds; radiologybusiness.com
- HHS Launches New Cybersecurity Awareness Resources; Nextgov
- The CDC Lacks a Rural Focus. Researchers Hope a Newly Funded Office Will Help; HealthLeaders Media
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.