Health IT News from Federal Agencies and Capitol Hill – Edited by Carolyn Bloch
The HHS Chief Technology Officer recently published a comprehensive report exploring the challenges for sharing data between HHS agencies. The project developed the first comprehensive “HHS Data Sharing Report” led by HHS Chief Data Officer Dr. Mona Siddiqui. HHS staff interviewed agency leaders and staff from eleven HHS agencies on the challenges and opportunities in sharing data between agencies. (more…)
Veterans Administration scientists at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan https://www.annarbor.va.gov have announced they are developing a 3D printed artificial lung that could potentially revolutionize treatment of veterans affected by lung disease. Researchers hope to build the first artificial lung that will be portable or wearable for short and long term respiratory support. (more…)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) https://www.cantwell.senate.gov introduced legislation to bring lower cost and higher quality health insurance to more Americans in the individual health insurance market. This bill would expand the “Basic Health Program” (BHP), an option through the Affordable Care Act. (more…)
According to Admiral Brett P. Giroir M.D HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, “HHS and DEA are developing materials https://www.hhs.gov/opioids to help clinicians use telemedicine as a tool to expand buprenorphine-based Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder treatment under current DEA regulations to patients in remote or rural areas under certain circumstances.” (more…)
David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce https://www.doc.gov and Administrator for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) https://www.ntia.doc.gov, presented his ideas and thoughts at the Mobile World Congress Americas meeting. The U.S ongoing efforts to set the stage for a 5G world was one of the main points discussed. (more…)
The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF), https://primaryimmune.org, the national patient organization for people with Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Diseases, will receive a $4 Million grant from HRSA https://www.hrsa.gov. The plan is to design and implement an advanced screening and education program for people with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in rural areas or underserved communities. (more…)
Aging veterans with multiple chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes when transitioning to a different healthcare provider or facility. Transferring to other facilities or to home is especially difficult when care is complicated by a co-existing mental health or social issue like homelessness or poverty. Technology can be used to assist patient transitions and track the quality of care. (more…)