Health IT News from Federal Agencies and Capitol Hill – Edited by Carolyn Bloch
The National Cancer Institute posted their Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on November 21, 2013 seeking small cancer research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. (more…)
A World Health Organization report concludes that the world is short 72 million health workers. In just over 20 years, this number is set to double if the situation is not addressed, therefore, it is vitally important to train more healthcare workers at the community level especially in parts of the world like Africa. (more…)
The State of Maine in partnership with HealthInfoNet, the statewide HIE recently received a three year grant from HRSA to improve care coordination the for the state’s veterans. The funding will be used to connect the VA Maine Healthcare System comprised of the medical center located in Augusta and eleven outpatient clinics in the state to the HIE. The state will receive $300,000 for the first year and expects a similar award amount for years two and three. (more…)
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health hearing titled “Examining Federal Regulation of Mobile Medical Apps and Other Health Software” was held on November 19th on Capitol Hill. The hearing focused on FDA’s final medical app guidance published September 2013. (more…)
On November 15, 2013, CMS released a presolicitation announcing future plans related to improving quality. CMS has plans to release a solicitation related to quality seeking new approaches that the agency should take. Currently, CMS is making efforts towards achieving the “National Quality Strategy” (NOS) and the CMS Quality Strategy along with other strategies, goals, recommendations, and priorities. (more…)
The Veterans Administration’s Draft Strategic Plan for 2014-2020 emphasizes self-care, preventive services, primary care, and mental health services. One important goal is to eliminate the disability claims backlog by 2015. At that time, a robust plan will be implemented to ensure that claims are addressed in no more than 125 days with at least 98 percent accuracy. (more…)
Several organizations recently launched a Kresge Foundation funded project with a grant award for $800,000. The grant funding will be used to measure and capture patient risks at health centers in terms of both clinical and non-clinical factors to include social, environmental, and economic factors that influence an individual’s health. (more…)