In This Issue: September 2009

---

• In Their Own Words |
• By the Numbers |
• Tools and Resources |
• Congressional News |
• In the News |
• State News |
• Calendar of Events|

---

- National Health IT Week -

HIMSS Advocates Arrive on Capitol Hill
The HIMSS 8th Annual Policy Summit took place this week in Washington, DC.  Almost 400 HIMSS advocates from nearly every state had appointments with their Senators and Representatives, and hundreds more participated in HIMSS’ “Virtual March” by sending a letter to their members of Congress, expressing their views on issues affecting health IT.  If you haven’t already sent a letter, please do so today!

The HIMSS Policy Summit featured many interesting discussions, including a keynote speech by Dr. Garth Graham of the HHS Office of Minority Health, speaking on “Underserved Communities and the Health Information Technology Landscape – The Necessity for Partnership.”  The Policy Summit also included legislative and other experts who examined the policy ramifications of ARRA and how healthcare reform aims to build ARRA’s investments in health IT. Additional details on the Policy Summit will be posted online shortly, and will also be featured in next month’s issue of the Pulse on Public Policy. 

back to top

HIMSS Presents 2009 Awards at Policy Summit
During the Policy Summit, HIMSS presented several awards to policymakers with a special interest in HIT.  The State Legislator of the Year Award went to Senator Richard Moore from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The HIMSS State Leadership of the Year Award was presented to Anthony D. Rodgers, Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona’s Medicaid Program.  The HIMSS State of the Year Award went to the Commonwealth of Virginia and was accepted by Secretary of Technology Leonard M. Pomata.  And the 2009 HIMSS Federal Leadership Award went to U.S. Senator Michael Enzi of Wyoming.

back to top

Public Policy Photo Contest Winner Announced
Terri Ripley submitted the winning photograph in the 2nd Annual Advocacy and Public Policy Photo Contest.  Two dozen photos were submitted by HIMSS members, and the winning photo was selected by the Advocacy and Public Policy Steering Committee.  As part of her award, Terri attended the HIMSS 8th Annual Policy Summit as a guest of HIMSS.

Members of HIMSS’ Virginia Chapter meet with Delegate Shannon Valentine (center, in blue) on HIMSS Virginia State Advocacy Day.

back to top

HIMSS Advocates Make Three “Asks”
In their Congressional meetings and letters to Congress this week, HIMSS advocates made three requests, or “Asks,” of Congress:

1. Ensure that the Executive Branch meets the timelines, requirements, and the needs of Congressional constituents for the health information technology (IT) components included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
2. Require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study concerning the necessary funding needed to achieve the nationwide exchange of health information among health information exchanges (HIEs).
3. Apply Congressional oversight authority to ensure that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) establishes a final regulation for the e-prescribing of controlled substances that would not impede the overall benefits of e-prescribing.

Please click here for a more detailed explanation of these “Asks.”

back to top

National Health IT Week Brings Increased Attention to HIT
At a Capitol Hill news conference celebrating National Health IT Week this week, Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Phil Gingrey, MD (R-GA), Dennis Moore (D-KS), Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-TX), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) expressed their support for creating a robust national HIT infrastructure.  These Members of Congress were joined at the podium by HIT leaders—Sue Schade, CIO for Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals (Boston), speaking on behalf of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME); Justin Barnes of Greenway Medical Technologies, Chairman of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Association; and Barry P. Chaiken, MD, MPH, FHIMSS, HIMSS Board Chair.

A record 152 partner organizations are supporting National Health IT Week, many holding events throughout the week that focus on such issues as state health IT initiatives, the Nationwide Health Information Network, and the rural health IT workforce. Additional information concerning other events during National Health IT Week can be accessed online.

back to top

>> Congressional News

Finance Committee Releases Healthcare Reform Legislation
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee released the Chairman’s Mark for America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, healthcare reform legislation developed by the Senate Finance Committee. A Chairman’s Mark is a measure to be considered by the Committee in markup, where the Committee will debate, amend, and rewrite the proposed legislation. Among the legislation’s aims is to reform the health insurance industry, create competition in private insurance through the establishment of non-profit cooperatives (co-ops), and expand Medicaid coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a preliminary cost estimate for the legislation is $774 billion over 10 years.

Similar to legislation approved by the Senate HELP Committee and the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees, the Chairman’s Mark also includes a host of health IT related provisions that aim to leverage health IT in improving the quality, cost, and access to healthcare, including:

• Requiring development of standards for electronic tools to deliver comprehensive health risk assessments;
• Expanding the timeframe for incentives within the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI);
• Requiring the leveraging of health IT in care coordination activities for the chronically ill;
• Calling for the development of a national healthcare workforce strategy that reflects the use of health IT among providers; and
• Directing the Secretary of HHS to establish demonstration programs that apply health IT to improve quality among nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.

The Senate Finance Committee began its markup of the legislation this week.  Updates and additional information concerning healthcare reform legislation may be accessed on the HIMSS Web site.

back to top

>> In the News

HIMSS Launching Minority Business Roundtable for Health IT
HIMSS’ newest initiative, the Minority Business Roundtable for Health IT, is open to women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses eager to be part of the exciting healthcare transformation that’s taking place, and seeking opportunities to compete for economic stimulus funds.  HIMSS has long promoted diversity, and this newest initiative will include monthly teleconferences and other networking occasions for these new HIMSS corporate members to interact with and learn from “senior” HIMSS members and Washington officials.  With a new Administration promoting diversity and opportunity for all, it is our goal that the new HIMSS Minority Business Roundtable for Health IT will give these new corporate members a home at HIMSS. 

HIMSS is actively recruiting new corporate members for the Roundtable, so please pass the word!  Staff liaisons for this new initiative are Dave Roberts and Arnol Simmons, so if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with them. 

back to top

Administration Releases H1N1 Preparedness Plan
The President held a meeting with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden to address emerging health threats. The President cited H1N1 as a national security challenge, and announced the release of the 2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response Overview, a plan that features collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security.

back to top

CDC Hosts Public Health Informatics Network (PHIN) Conference
CDC hosted the 7th Annual Public Health Informatics Network Conference (PHIN) in Atlanta early this month.  Speaking at the opening plenary session, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden emphasized the need to focus on getting more impact out of minor changes to the way public health does business.  HIMSS learned that CDC is in the midst of a major reorganization to align resources with changing national and global priorities; the functions of the National Center for Public Health Informatics will be absorbed by other centers.  HIMSS will continue to monitor CDC’s progress and report on the impact the reorganization will have on CDC policies.

back to top

Davies Award Winners Announced
At the PHIN Conference earlier this month, HIMSS announced the winners of the Davies Public Health Awards: Boston Public Health Commission, Infectious Disease Bureau and Denver Public Health, Denver Public Health Information Service.  Four additional Davies Awardees were announced during National Health IT Week in Washington, DC.  The Davies Organizational Award went to MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Washington.  The Davies Ambulatory Award went to the Virginia Women's Center in Richmond, Virginia.  And the Davies Community Health Organization Awards went to Urban Health Plan in Bronx, New York, and Heart of Texas in Waco, Texas.  Congratulations to all the 2009 winners, who will be officially celebrated at the 2010 Annual HIMSS Conference and Exhibition, March 1 – 4 in Atlanta.

back to top

CMS Releases Guidance to States on Stimulus Funds for HIT
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a letter to State Medicaid Directors, which helps to clarify CMS expectations for Medicaid health IT incentive payments.  ARRA amended federal law to allow for 100 percent “federal financial participation (FFP) match for state expenditures for Medicaid provider incentive payments to encourage the adopting, implementing, and upgrading of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology and for demonstrating meaningful use.”  ARRA also addressed state concerns about creating an unfunded mandate by providing a 90 percent FFP match for administration of the incentive payment program.  In anticipation of the incentive program, states can seek the 90 percent FFP match upon receipt of the letter.  Additional guidance was packaged in a series of attachments to the letter to the states.  CMS plans to issue a proposed rule by the end of the year with more detailed information. 

back to top

 

>> State News

New Study Looks at Federal-State Healthcare Relationships
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Coverage Initiatives has released a new issue brief: Health Care Reform and American Federalism: The Next Inter-Governmental Partnership, by Michael Sparer of Columbia University.  The SCI brief addresses how new federal rules will fit with the nation’s complicated and entrenched set of inter-governmental healthcare partnerships, as well as how those rules will accommodate the extraordinary inter-state (and intra-state) variation in every aspect of the nation’s healthcare system.  It also reviews the evolution of the nation’s inter-governmental healthcare partnership and discusses how proposed federal reforms to expand Medicaid, to create a health insurance exchange, and to restructure the healthcare delivery system might impact that partnership.  Additionally, it encourages policymakers to establish some type of institutional mechanism that would focus on the federalism and implementation implications of both proposed and enacted reforms.  

back to top

 

In Their Own Words

“It would be hard for any health professional today to escape the conclusion that the antiquated, paper-dominated system we now have in place isn’t working well for patients, creates added costs and inefficiencies, and isn’t sustainable.  As we look at our nation’s annual health care expenditures of approximately $2.5 trillion, there are many ways our current system fails both patients and providers.  It is clear that change is necessary.”  

David Blumenthal, MD, MPP
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

By the Numbers

New Tool Measures Your Organization’s EMR Adoption Progress
Find out your EMR Adoption Model^SM (EMRAM) score and optimize ARRA funding. By knowing your score you will have a valuable tool that measures yourself against your peers’ progress in adopting EMR and other healthcare technologies. This number will help you more effectively plan and execute your EMR strategies—and chart your path for achieving "meaningful use" dollars as part of ARRA funding. To learn your EMRAM score, all you need to do is participate in the HIMSS Analytics annual study. To get started, contact Patti Harris at 312-638-9460. Or visit the HIMSS Analytics Web site for more information.

Tools & Resources

HIMSS Advocacy Tool Kit
Visit HIMSS Online Advocacy Tool Kit for complete, detailed information on preparing for your next congressional visit.  The Tool Kit includes Sample Letters, Seven Secrets for Success, Standard Material for Meetings, and additional content from HIMSS on meaningful use and the Nicholas E. Davies Program.

On HealthReform.Gov
Stable and Secure Health Care for America, a series of new state-by-state reports outlining how health insurance reform will improve healthcare for all Americans.

HIMSS JOBMINE—Whether you're actively looking for a new position or simply waiting to be approached with a great opportunity, HIMSS JobMine® helps you stay focused on the healthcare industry. And if you’re looking for high quality candidates, HIMSS JobMine® gives you direct access to the best in the industry.

Member Only Benefit: GRANTS OFFICE—HIMSS Grants Advantage subscription service provides information on identifying funding initiatives, the steps needed to apply and succeed in the entire grants life cycle, including identification, submission, award receipt, reporting and closure. Grants Advantage can help you find the funding resources in categories that include, but are not limited to:

• Health IT
• Facility planning and construction
• Health services planning
• Specialized health research
• Education
• Veterans’ health

Learn more about the benefits of subscribing to HIMSS Grants Advantage

Member Only Benefit: CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE REPORTS

Healthcare Reform and Small Business
To access other CRS Reports, visit HIMSS Member Center.

Calendar of Events

HIT in the Next Five Years: Managing the Mandates of 5010/ICD-10, ARRA, Privacy and Security and Healthcare Reform
Free Webinar
September 30, 2009
11:00 AM-12:30 PMCDT
Listen to a panel of industry experts from the provider, vendor and payer perspectives discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the overlapping, and in some cases conflicting, timelines for 5010/ICD-10, ARRA "Meaningful Use," Privacy and Security and Healthcare Reform between now and 2014. 
Register here.

Young Professionals Webinar: Scholarships
October 1, 2009
11:00 AM-12:00 PM CST
It’s time to submit applications for the 2009 HIMSS Scholarship Program! Participate in the upcoming webinar to get an overview of the program and learn how you can improve your scholarship application. Take advantage of the opportunity to hear directly from members of the HIMSS Scholarship Committee on the attributes and qualities they look for in candidates, and ask questions. Also, learn how you can take advantage of all other benefits and resources from HIMSS to assist your academic and professional career!
Registration Information

2009 Annual Awards Call for Nominations Is Now Open! 
The 2009 Annual Awards Call for Nominations Is Now Open!  Nominations will be accepted through October 30, 2009.  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 the organization and the broad definition of the healthcare professions represented. Sponsorship of these awards and nomination of recipients come from components within HIMSS, often with collaboration from other allied professional societies, academia, and businesses.
Click here for further information on specific award categories. Contact awards@himss.org or call 312-915-9202 with any questions.

Save the Date for the Next HIMSS Virtual Conference & Exhibition: November 3-4, 2009
The HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo is not a Web seminar; it is a fully interactive event that incorporates online learning, live chat, active movement in and out of exhibit booths and sessions, vendor presentations, contests and more. Because the conference is 100 percent virtual, you can experience the Expo from the comfort of your own desk. Save yourself the travel expenses and get right to the industry information and solutions you seek!  Click here to register.

Takin' HIT to the Streets!
Join other healthcare decision makers at The ARRA Era, one-day regional conferences designed to help hospitals and health systems identify and qualify for funding opportunities from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Mark your calendars: the next conferences will be held December 4, 2009 in Dallas/Ft. Worth, and January 15, 2010 in Chicago.

Make Your Plans Now for HIMSS10!
Be part of the 2010 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta, Ga., the largest healthcare information technology conference in the United States, scheduled for March 1-4, 2010.  HIMSS brings timely education and a solutions-focused exhibition to HIMSS10, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, and this year will feature extensive education sessions with continued emphasis on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and new topic categories on workforce development, regulatory compliance, clinical informatics and globalization.

 

Copyright © 2009 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
4300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 250
Arlington VA  22203
visit www.HIMSS.org/advocacy