Welcome to HIMSS’ Health IT Policy Update, bringing you the latest news on legislative and regulatory activities related to health IT from HIMSS’ Government Relations office. We welcome your feedback, and if you’re reading this complimentary newsletter online or receiving it as a forward, please subscribe!

Federal Affairs

Health IT Policy Committee Moves Forward on 2012 Activities
The Health IT Policy Committee held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 1. National Coordinator for Health IT, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, provided opening remarks, highlighting the progress of the Health IT Policy and Standards Committees, and reminding members of the vast amount of work yet to be done. Specifically, he said, the next year should focus on interoperability, information exchange and care and quality improvement. The full HIMSS summary is available on the HIMSS Federal Affairs webpage.

HHS OIG Identifies Top Management & Performance Challenges
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its annual summary of the most significant management and performance challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  “These challenges reflect both continuing vulnerabilities that OIG has identified for HHS over recent years as well as new and emerging issues that HHS will face in the coming year.”  Management Issue #1 is: Implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Students Invited to Create Plan to Improve Patient Engagement Using IT
The “Innovate 4 Healthcare Challenge” is inviting student teams to “design a plan to strengthen patient engagement with healthcare providers using information technology.” Teams must register by February 24 and submit a plan by March 6, 2012. A prize of $20,000 will be awarded to the winning team in April, plus prizes of $5,000 to two runners up.

Anticipated Regulations for 2012
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week announced that 32 medical groups and healthcare system in 18 states have been selected to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model.

Congressional Affairs

Congress May Address Physician Licensing Across State Lines
In order to gain the potential benefits of telemedicine, Congress may need to address physician licensing across state lines.  Reports are that Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is drafting legislation to create a national physician licensing system to operate in tandem with state boards. 

House Votes to Repeal CLASS Act
The House of Representatives voted on February 1 (267 to 159) to repeal the long-term care insurance program of the 2010 health law, which had been designed to provide affordable long-term care insurance. The Obama administration had already announced that it would not implement the Community Living Assistance Services and Support program, known as the CLASS Act provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010 (ACA), due to its projected costs and because it was considered unworkable.

House Committee Discusses FDA User Fees
On Wednesday, February 1, the House of Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, held a hearing to discuss reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); the current program ends September 30, 2012. The PDUFA hearings set the stage for a hearing regarding the reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee Act, also known as MDUFA, which will be held on February 15. Click the link above for more information.

CBO Forecast Federal Health Spending Will Double Over the Next Decade
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in its annual budget and economic outlook released this week, has projected an eight percent annual increase in health spending between 2012 and 2022, mainly because of an aging U.S. population and rising treatment costs. Medicare and Medicaid will grow from $847 billion in the current fiscal year to $1.8 trillion in fiscal 2022, or 7.3 percent of the country's total GNP, according to CBO’s projections. The analysis includes a big bill for a permanent fix to the Medicare physician payment formula (SGR).  Click the link to learn more.

HIMSS Congressional Priorities for 2012
During the 2011 HIMSS Policy Summit on Capitol Hill, HIMSS members presented three primary “Asks” to Congress, and they remain excellent guidance for the coming year.  First, it is important to maintain Congressional bipartisan support for health IT issues.  Secondly, the funding for the HITECH EHR Incentive Program Funding should be preserved despite pressures to reduce federal spending in order to maintain current progress in EHRs adoption and health information exchange.  The third 2011 Policy Summit “Ask” addressed the necessity for a “Patient Data-Matching Strategy.”  The HIMSS-led Coalition for an Informed Patient Identity Integrity Solution continues to advocate for Congress to direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study Patient Data-Matching Strategies, and the cost to the country of not having a consistent national strategy that will ensure the secure and reliable exchange of health information across systems.  Click the link above to learn more.

State Affairs

NCSL Newsletter Tracks State Health Reform Activities
The National Conference of State Legislatures has published the January issue of the Affordable Care Act: State Action Newsletter. It includes coverage of a new report assessing states’ progress in establishing health insurance exchanges; and a review of state legislators’ top health reform priorities.

HIMSS News

HIMSS Diversity Business Roundtable Hosts Brown Bag at HIMSS12
On Tuesday, February 21, the HIMSS Diversity Business Roundtable will host a panel-based brown bag lunch meeting, showcasing industry experts from diverse business environments and populations, each committed to the integration/implementation of information technology to help reduce health disparities and support workforce development on a national level. The discussion will take place from 12:00-2:00 pm in Toscana Room 3609 of the Venetian Sands Expo Center, and is open to all HIMSS12 attendees.RSVPs are requested. For more information please contact Arnol Simmons.

Institute for e-Health Policy Celebrates Two Decades of Congressional Luncheon Seminars
The Institute for e-Health Policy invites friends and supporters to help celebrate nearly 20 years of the Congressional Luncheon Seminar Series’ educational briefings and technology demonstrations for Washington policymakers.  A reception and fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, February 22nd from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Venetian-Sands Convention Center, Toscana Room 3609, during HIMSS12. To join as a sponsoring organization or to reserve individual reception tickets, please Register Here. The Institute for e-Health Policy is a 501(c)3 non-profit initiative of the HIMSS Foundation.

HIE Education at HIMSS12
Health Information Exchange is a major topic at HIMSS12, Feb. 20-24, in Las Vegas. In addition to the pre-conference HIE Symposium on Monday, Feb. 20, dozens of general education sessions are dedicated HIEs. Click the link to leanr more about the courses and opportunities available to HIMSS12 attendees. Read More >>

New York and New Jersey Chapter Member Wins January Spirit of HIMSS Award
Tony Ferrante, Director of Business Development for Computer Design & Integration LLC, Teterboro, NJ, is the recipient of the January Spirit of HIMSS Award. Ferrante has been an invaluable member on the New Jersey HIMSS and New York HIMSS Chapter boards. He is an integral part of the educational programming, as well the promotion of the CPHIMS credential, and the CPHIMS review course. Ferrante is invaluable to both chapters and is known as the engine that moves them down the track. Established in 2003, the Spirit of HIMSS Award recognizes members who exemplify the mission of HIMSS through their recent volunteer efforts within the society. HIMSS utilizes awards to recognize the special contributions of individuals, groups and organizations to the advancement of the healthcare profession as encompassed by the HIMSS mission. These special contributions may vary widely due to the diverse membership of HIMSS and the broad definition of the healthcare professions represented in our mission. Nominate a peer today. Contact Megan McGuirk, Program Manager, Professional Development, with questions.

mHIMSS Seek Volunteers
HIMSS is seeking volunteers for the mHIMSS initiative. Mobile subject-matter experts are needed to develop deliverables that will: Strengthen available resources on key aspects of mobile health IT; inform best practices by publishing case studies and respected research regarding effective and transformative use of wireless and mobile technology; and provide timely mobile subject matter expertise to federal agencies, key regulatory and legislative bodies. Participants must be full HIMSS members in good standing. If you are not a member of HIMSS/mHIMSS and would like to join please click here. If you are currently a full HIMSS member and have an interest in joining the taskforce, please contact Tim Castallo.

HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence: New Categories, Criteria and Application Process
The HIMSS Davies Award has evolved…Application process is as easy as 1..2..3..4! The new application process is based on a case-study format, so tell us your story of EHR success. There are three award categories with new criteria for each. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, contact Jonathan French. You can also click the link above>>