Health IT News from Federal Agencies and Capitol Hill – Edited by Carolyn Bloch
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has issued their Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 complete with six focus areas. The focus areas include delivery system alignment and integration, payment modernization, tribal care coordination, program integrity, health information technology, and quality assessment and improvement strategies. (more…)
Researchers are using motivational multimedia coupled with positive reinforcement via a smartphone app to improve asthma outcomes among low income minority adolescents with asthma. This NIH funded study is taking place at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The application and device was created at UIC with seed funding provided by the UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science. (more…)
Representatives Erik Paulsen from Minnesota and Jim Matheson from Utah introduced legislation on Capitol Hill titled “The Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2013” to evaluate the nation’s critical care resources and infrastructure. The legislation is designed to identify gaps in the current critical care delivery model and bolster capabilities to meet future demand. (more…)
The Gates Foundation invites submissions to the “Records for Life” contest with the purpose to produce accurate and accessible records for children. The competition is needed to redesign children’s health records in an effort to increase accuracy and make medical records easier to interpret and use. (more…)
People involved in the criminal justice system have significantly higher rates of behavioral and physical health problems than the general population. The rate of serious mental illness among incarcerated persons is estimated to be more than three times higher than in the general population. (more…)
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) applauds the state governments of Kentucky and Missouri for expanding coverage of telemedicine services within their jurisdictions. According to Jonathan Linkous, ATA CEO, “This is a true win-win scenario for the patients in Kentucky and Missouri and a win also for the treasury and taxpayers in those states who will save significantly on public healthcare costs.” (more…)
The HIV/AIDS pandemics have been a serious threat to global health for decades. However, rapid advancements in HIV/AIDS research has generated a significant amount of knowledge in the field. AHRQ’s study funded for $290,000 will look at how to provide more data to the HIV/AIDS providers and the community. (more…)