Top News
ONC Final Rule Updates Health IT Certification for Interoperability and Addresses Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithm Transparency
On January 9, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) released their final rule HTI-1 or Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing. HTI-1 implements the EHR Reporting Program requirement of the 21st Century Cures Act by creating new conditions for health IT developers under the Health IT Certification Program. The final rule requires certified health IT developers to update the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Version 3, as of January 1, 2026. Additionally, HTI-1 establishes transparency requirements for AI and other predictive algorithms. Finally, the rule aims to enhance health information exchange under the information blocking regulations.
Regulatory
AMIA Comments on Information Blocking Disincentives
AMIA submitted comment to the request for information regarding establishing disincentives for healthcare providers that have committed information blocking. Comments from AMIA did not focus on the specific penalties for information blocking but took the opportunity to provide further insight into practices that result in information blocking. Additionally, AMIA noted that good faith attempts to share information should not be included in the disincentives.
NIH Seeks Input on Updated Strategic Plan for Data Science
NIH seeks public input on its updated Strategic Plan for Data Science (2023-2028) through a 90-day Request for Information (RFI). The plan aims to leverage healthcare and research data for advancements in biology, clinical treatments, and diagnostics.
Partners and collaborators, including the scientific community and the public, are invited to provide feedback on goals, strategies, partnership opportunities, emerging research needs, and other relevant topics by March 15. Voluntary responses reflecting organizational or individual perspectives are encouraged.
The Administration Releases Global Health Security Partnerships Report
On December 30, 2023, The Biden Administration released an annual report, Progress and Impact of U.S. Government Investments in Global Health Security, highlighting the progress of the US and partnering countries building stronger global health security as a critical component of national biodefense. This partnership follows the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, mpox and other outbreaks in recent years, which demonstrate the catastrophic impacts infectious diseases can have on health, economies, and societies, regardless of where they start.
Read Global Health Security Partnerships Report.
ONC Highlights Three Barriers to Patients Accessing their EHR Data
According to a new report from the Health and Human Services Department’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, many patients cannot access EHRs, even if they are commonplace in health care. During the pandemic, patients wanted access to their records following a telehealth visit and to obtain COVID 19 test results. Additionally, more patients wanted to message their providers following the pandemic, at a rate of 53% in 2018, and climbing up to 64% in 2022.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
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On December 20, an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) outlined the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)’s nationwide AI assurance labs network. In this network, community best practices could be applied for testing health AI models to produce reports on their performance that can be widely shared for managing the lifecycle of AI models over time and across populations and sites where these models are deployed. AMIA is a member of CHAI and several AMIA members are leaders in this effort. Around the Web
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. |