Public Policy Forum Archive
HIMSS introduced the Public Policy Forum in 2003 to focus on industry-wide issues affecting senior-level corporate members of HIMSS. This interactive event, usually held in the fall in Washington, D.C., is a special benefit reserved for HIMSS Diamond and Platinum corporate members and their guests. Speakers include prominent government and industry leaders who examine how federal agencies, in collaboration with the private sector, can address solutions to key topics. This invitation-only session brings together 100 executive decision-makers in government and industry to foster a frank exchange of information and innovative thinking.
5th Annual HIMSS Public Policy Forum
“Campaign 2008: What's Next for Healthcare IT?”
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Senior executives make a big difference in shaping their organizations’ future. And now, they have the opportunity to make a difference to the future of healthcare IT. HIMSS is inviting Diamond and Platinum Corporate Members to meet key policymakers at the HIMSS 5th Annual Public Policy Forum, Sept. 25, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year’s event is “Campaign 2008: What's Next for Healthcare IT?”
To put healthcare IT in the political spotlight, the candidates need to hear from the people. What are they hearing and how can we elevate the discussion on HIT? Hear from noted pollsters and candidates' healthcare advisors on how healthcare stacks up on the campaign priority list. Voice your opinion and real world stories on the long-term benefits of nationwide efforts on standards adoption, interoperability, and EHR certification.
In true Public Policy Forum tradition, HIMSS is bringing senior level Diamond and Platinum Corporate Members and their guests, together with policymakers to engage in an interactive dialogue to help frame future public policy. Your voice is critical to maintain strong momentum and to deliver our message loud and clear to the candidates—HIT matters!
Confirmed Speakers include:
Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D
Senior Fellow, PROJECT HOPE
Gail R. Wilensky, an economist, and a Senior Fellow at Project HOPE (an international health education foundation) analyzes and develops policies relating to health care reform and to ongoing changes in the health care environment.
Dr. Wilensky testifies frequently before Congressional committees, acts as an advisor to members of Congress and other elected officials, and speaks nationally and internationally before professional, business and consumer groups. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Michigan.
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse(D-RI)
For more than 20 years, Sheldon Whitehouse has served the people of Rhode Island: championing health care reform, standing up for our environment, helping solve fiscal crises, and investigating public corruption. Now, he's putting his experience as a seasoned prosecutor and policymaker to work for Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate, where his election helped bring new leadership to Congress and set our country on a different course.
A graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Whitehouse served as a policy advisor and counsel in the Office of the Governor of Rhode Island before being nominated by President Bill Clinton to be Rhode Island's U.S. Attorney in 1994. He was elected Attorney General in 1998, where he served from 1999-2003. On November 7, 2006, Rhode Islanders elected Whitehouse to the Senate, where he is a member of the Special Committee on Aging, the Budget Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence.
He lives in Providence with his wife, Sandra, a marine biologist and environmental advocate, and their two children.
Detailed Synopsis of HIMSS 5th Annual Public Policy Forum
4th Annual HIMSS Public Policy Forum
Barriers and Solutions to Achieving a Wired
21st Century Healthcare System
A HIMSS Diamond and Platinum Member Exclusive Event
Thursday, September 28, 2006
A record number of industry and government leaders attended the 4th Annual HIMSS Public Policy Forum at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., on September 28th. The program opened with Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition of the U.S House of Representatives, providing a congressional overview of health information technology legislation and reiterating his support for its passage in the 109th Congress. Keynote speakers included:
The Honorable William Winkenwerder, Jr., MD, MBA
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Military Health System
AHIC Commissioner
The Honorable Karen Evans
Administrator for eGov
Office of Management and Budget
Paul Sheils
Head of eHealth & Information Business
Aetna, Inc.
The one-day conference was a marathon opportunity to share information, educate, and motivate HIMSS members to continue their commitment to working with all levels of government on public policy issues. There were also three panel discussions as well as opportunities for networking. The first panel addressed Closing the Digital Divide in HIT, How Real Are Incentive Change and Value Based Purchasing? and Workforce Readiness. Moderated by Miriam Paramore, a member of HIMSS Board of Directors/AFEHCT Advisory Council, the panelists were:
- Jodi G. Daniel, JD, MPH, Director, Office of Policy and Research, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT
- Michael Christopher Gibbons, MD, MPH, Associate Director Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute and Director of the Center for Community Health
- Denni McColm, CCHIT Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for 2005 Davies Award Winner Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, MO
- Sally Tyler, Health Policy Analyst, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Meanwhile, the audience also received an “Update on the HIMSS/GSA eAuthentication Gateway: Can It Work In Healthcare?” from Mary Griskewicz, FHIMSS, HIMSS Director of Ambulatory Information Systems and David Temoshok, General Services Administration. HIMSS Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Liddy West also provided invaluable information for new products and services for HIMSS corporate members.
As issues of Privacy, Security, and Liability in an Electronic Healthcare Environment are addressed in industry and government, Howard Burde, JD, a member of HIMSS Advocacy & Public Policy Steering Committee, moderated a panel to explore these issues. The panelists were:
- Edmund F. Haislmaier, Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Center for Health Policy Studies
- Matt Scholl, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
A Congressional Staff Panel, which was moderated by Ned McCulloch, JD, Chairperson of HIMSS Advocacy & Public Policy Steering Committee, focused on the Capitol Hill Perspective on HIT Legislation and the Remaining Challenges in the 109th Congress.
Panelists included:
- Michael Zamore, Policy Advisor, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
- Jenifer Healy, Legislative Aide, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
- K. Meredith Pumphrey, Professional Staff Member, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security
- Temina Madon, PhD, AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, U.S. Senate HELP Committee, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
HIMSS Office of Advocacy and Public Policy management and staff extend a very special thanks to program Master of Ceremonies, Barry Chaiken, MD, MPH, HIMSS board member. Visit HIMSS Advocacy web site for more information on the 2006 HIMSS Public Policy Forum or contact Tom Leary, director of Federal Affairs, at tleary@himss.org.
For more information on HIMSS Public Policy Forums, or if you would like HIMSS to host a forum for your organization, please contact Dave Roberts, HIMSS Vice President for Government Relations, at droberts@himss.org.
