iHealthBeat: Policy

Senate Panel Unveils Draft Bill To Foster Health Data Sharing

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:37:00 Z

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has unveiled draft legislation that aims to boost electronic health record interoperability and increase patients' access to their health data. Among other things, the measure would establish a rating system to compare health IT products. Health Data Management et al.

Gun Control Rule's HIPAA Modification Draws Mixed Reactions

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 17:24:00 Z

The American Legion has raised concerns that HHS' final rule modifying HIPAA to ease the sharing of mental health records could prevent some veterans from seeking care. Meanwhile, some groups hope the final rule will prompt more privacy rule changes to help providers of drug and alcohol misuse treatment share records. Modern Healthcare, American College of Physicians release.

Congress Provides VA With Conditional $233M for EHR Upgrade

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:57:00 Z

The Department of Veterans Affairs is set to receive $233 million for an ongoing effort to upgrade its electronic health record system. However, use of the funding is restricted until VA shows improvements with the system's interoperability and provides Congress with details on related projects. Health Data Management, FierceHealthIT.

Obama Signs Meaningful Use Hardship Exemption Legislation

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 18:24:00 Z

President Obama has signed into law a bill that aims to make it easier for providers to obtain hardship exemptions to Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. An official at the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives praised the bill's flexibility but said more must be done to fix the meaningful use program. EHR Intelligence, FierceEMR.

CMS Unveils Draft Plan for New Payment Model Quality Measures

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:04:00 Z

CMS has released a draft plan for using and developing quality measures for new payment models under the Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. Among other things, MACRA encourages the use of certified electronic health records and addresses payment adjustments for the meaningful use program. Health Data Management et al.

Omnibus Bill Includes Language To Bolster HHS Cybersecurity Efforts

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:10:00 Z

Congressional leaders have reached a budget agreement that includes language for HHS to appoint a cybersecurity task force and issue a report to Congress on the department's efforts to prevent cyberattacks. Congress is set to vote on the package this week, and President Obama is expected to sign it. FierceHealthIT et al.

High Court Hears Oral Arguments in Health Data Collection Case

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 17:30:00 Z

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that centers around whether Vermont can require self-insured health plans to provide claims data for the state's all-payer claims database. Some industry experts note that a ruling against the state could have implications for other state health IT initiatives that aim to improve the health care system. Wall Street Journal et al.

GOP Lawmakers Ask House Speaker To Help Fix Meaningful Use

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:24:00 Z

The GOP Doctors Caucus says it will work with House Speaker Paul Ryan to delay Stage 3 of the meaningful use program and grant a blanket hardship waiver for the 2015 Stage 2 reporting period through the legislative process. In a letter to Ryan, the caucus says doctors would benefit from the changes. FierceEMR, GOP Doctors Caucus letter.

Advocates Argue State Policies Restrict Telemedicine's Full Potential

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 15:32:00 Z

Some telemedicine advocates say restrictive state policies that curb the use of telemedicine are preventing the practice from reaching its full potential. Advocates note that while many states have adopted policies to increase access to telemedicine coverage, some have put in place restrictive requirements for such visits. Washington Post.

Senate Committee Advances Bill To Expand Rural Broadband Funding

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:14:00 Z

The Senate Commerce Committee has approved a bill that would make skilled nursing facilities eligible for the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Health Care Program, allowing them to apply for funding for broadband services. The bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to include SNFs in the list of providers eligible to receive financial assistance through RHCP. Health Data Management.

Groups Comment on Health IT Aspects of Medicare, CHIP Policies

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:22:00 Z

Several health care organizations have commented on the Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, which addresses payment adjustments under the meaningful use program and Physician Quality Reporting System. Clinical Innovation & Technology et al.

CMS Finalizes Medicare Payment Model With Telehealth Implications

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 18:33:00 Z

CMS has finalized a new Medicare payment model for hip and knee replacements that will give providers more flexibility in the reimbursable telehealth services they can provide. The final rule waives the geographic and originating site requirements for telehealth. AHA News et al.

Bill Would OK Blanket Hardship Exemptions for Meaningful Use

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:00:00 Z

House Budget Committee Chair Tom Price has introduced a bill that would allow CMS to grant blanket hardship exemptions for the meaningful use program's 2015 reporting period. The bill aims to offer relief to eligible professionals and hospitals affected by the agency's delay in releasing the final rule for program modifications for 2015 through 2017. EHR Intelligence, Healthcare Informatics.

Health Care Organizations Applaud Senate Cybersecurity Bill Approval

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 18:19:00 Z

Yesterday, the Senate voted 74-21 to approve the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015. Several health IT groups, including the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the Health Information Trust Alliance, praised the bill, but some privacy advocates are concerned about the bill's ability to protect patient data. Health Data Management et al.

DeSalvo's Nomination for New HHS Position Could Be Held Up

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:29:00 Z

Sen. Ben Sasse says he will block confirmation of all HHS nominees until the Obama administration explains why eight of the 23 cooperative health plans established under the Affordable Care Act have closed. Sasse's plan could put National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo's nomination to become assistant secretary for health at HHS in jeopardy. FierceHealthIT et al.