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May 30, 2014   MEMBERSHIP | HIMSS PUBLIC POLICY
 

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

HIMSS Applauds SRAT, Suggests Improvements
Following the release of HHS’ Security Risk Assessment Tool (SRAT), the HIMSS Privacy and Security Committee, Privacy and Security Policy Taskforce, and Risk Assessment Work Group convened to evaluate the tool and provide feedback. “As an educational tool, [HIMSS] believe[s] that the SRAT is a step in the right direction.” Click the link to read the full letter.

VA Telehealth Programs Leader to Deliver GHIT Opening Keynote
HIMSS is pleased to announce that Dr. Adam Darkins will deliver the opening keynote for the HIMSS 2014 Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition on Tuesday, June 17th. Dr. Darkins leads the National Telehealth Programs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Click the link for details.

Health IT Policy and Standards Committees Accepting Workgroup Applications
The workgroups of the Health IT Policy Committee and the Health IT Standards Committee are currently accepting applications for membership.  Applications are due by Friday, June 6, 2014. Click the link for details.

FDA Posts Informatics Job Announcement
This week, FDA posted a job announcement for an Associate Director of Informatics. Click the link for details.

HIMSS Regulatory Chart Tracks Health IT Regulations
The HIMSS regulatory chart offers an at-a-glance snapshot of all health IT-related regulation HIMSS is following in 2014. The chart includes links to proposed and final regulations and to HIMSS comments and position statements, along with anticipated timelines.

Congressional Affairs

Congressional Healthcare Leader Joins Government Health IT Conference Speaker Lineup
Rep. Tom Price, MD (R-GA) will offer a keynote address during the Government Health IT Conference and Exhibition.  As previously announced, Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX) will also address attendees. Registration for the conference, open now, is free for government employees and veterans. Click the link to learn more.

State Affairs

California Hosts HIT Day
The Northern California HIMSS Chapter held its annual State HIT Day on May 22nd.

What You Should Know About Insurance Navigators
This week, the Associated Press released a list of “5 Things to Know About Health Navigator Security.”

Indiana Governor Announces Medicaid Expansion Initiative
In Mid-May, Indiana Governor Mike Pence announced Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, an initiative to expand Medicaid in the state.

HIMSS News

MULTIMEDIA: Baker and Chopra on the Future of Health IT
Click the link above to access HIMSS Vice President for Government Relations Tom Leary’s blog and a podcast of his Federal News Radio discussion on the value of health IT with former VA CIO Roger Baker and former US CTO Aneesh Chopra. Both men are members of the Honorary Advisory Panel for this year’s Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition, scheduled for June 17-18.

EVENT: Attend the 2015 Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition
Join your colleagues for this year's Government Health IT Conference & Exhibition in Washington DC, June 17-18. The theme for the 2014 Government Health IT Conference is "Emerging Care and Reimbursement Models." Find the knowledge and network that empowers you to implement solutions that reduce costs while still delivering quality patient care.

mHealth Summit to Launch Global Forum
The Global mHealth Forum will debut Dec. 10-11 at the mHealth Summit. This two-day, co-located event, presented in partnership with the mHealth Working Group and USAID, will focus on mobile and connected health in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
Read more>>

Nominations Sought for Federal and Congressional Health IT Leadership Awards
The HIMSS Health IT Leadership Awards Work Group is seeking nominations from HIMSS members for the Federal and Congressional Leadership Awards. Click the link to view the list of award criteria and instructions to submit a nomination.

HIMSS15 Call for Proposals & Reviewers
The Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition is seeking thought leaders to present educational content and peer reviewers to ensure the integrity and relevance of 300+ education topics at HIMSS15. The call for proposals is open until June 16. HIMSS15 will take place in Chicago April 12-16.Learn more about submitting a proposal. Learn more about becoming a reviewer. For questions contact Deb Clough, Manager of Annual Conference Education.

JHIM Seeking Abstracts for Fall 2014 Issue on Innovation
The HIMSS peer-reviewed Journal of Healthcare Information Management (JHIM) is seeking abstracts for the Fall 2014 issue on “Innovation in Health IT: Bringing Creativity to the Industry’s Most Pressing Challenges.” JHIM accepts case studies, literature reviews, industry analysis, and informed, researched essays. Read more about the topic and requirements>>

Health IT Policy Update is a weekly online newsletter published by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

Copyright© 2014 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission. Contact HIMSS Publications at 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60603–5616; nvitucci@himss.org

For information on Health IT Policy Update
Elinore Boeke
Sr. Manager, Public Policy Communications, HIMSS
HIMSS Office of Government Relations
eboeke@himss.org, 703–562–8817

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The inclusion of an organization name, product or service in this publication should not be construed as a HIMSS endorsement of such organization, product or service, nor is the failure to include an organization name, product or service to be construed as disapproval.

 

FACT SHEET: MU Certification Flexibility
On May 20, CMS and ONC announced the release of a proposed rule that will allow some flexibility for EPs, EHs, and CAHs attempting to attest to the Meaningful Use EHR Incentive Program in 2014. Click here for HIMSS' fact sheet.


Protecting Data Assets and Managing Risks. June 16 - 17, 2014. Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA  www.HealthPrivacyForum.com

Public Policy Event Calendar

HIMSS Events

Health IT Policy Committee Meetings

Health IT Standards Committee Meetings

Upcoming CMS National Provider Calls

Health Datapalooza
Washington, DC
June 1-3, 2014

Beacon Hill Day at the State House
Boston, MA
June 5, 2014

Connecting Michigan for Health
June 4-6, 2014
Lansing, MI

Government Health IT Conference and Exhibition
Washington, DC
June 17-18, 2014

National Health IT Week
September 15-19, 2014

HIMSS 13th Annual Policy Summit
Grand Hyatt Washington DC
September 17-18, 2014


Renew Your HIMSS Membership?

Ensure the continuation of your HIMSS member benefits, login to the Member Center to renew your membership today. If you need a paper invoice, request one via e–mail to the Member Services department. You can also renew by phone at 312–664–4467 (option 8, then 2).

Networking

LinkedIn Discussions
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