The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published the draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. ONC describes health IT as an array of tools that enable the processing, storage, access exchange, and use of electronic health information (EHI) to promote health and wellness, enhance the experience of care, accelerate research and… (McClurg, March 28, 2024) #Health Information Technology

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), as mandated by the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA), outlining regulations concerning cyber incident reporting and ransom payment reporting, aiming to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity posture (press release). CIRCIA, passed in 2022, requires certain critical infrastructure organizations to report cyber incidents within 72… (Colocho, March 27, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #Privacy, #Transparency

The House Oversight and Accountability Coronavirus Pandemic Subcommittee convened its second session of a two-part hearing series to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccine safety reporting and injury compensation systems post-COVID-19 vaccine rollout. While the initial hearing featured government witnesses, this session hosted experts directly engaged with these systems. The two-part hearing series highlighted bipartisan interest in addressing vaccine safety and… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #COVID-19, #Physicians, #Prevention, #Public Health

The House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Subcommittee held a hearing with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss the Administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget request for USDA. Representatives spent most of the hearing discussing farm and other agriculture programs and priorities, but several also commented on the proposals for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and… (McClurg, March 22, 2024) #Nutrition

The House Ways and Means Committee convened a hearing with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to examine President Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Impact Summary). The Secretary highlighted numerous key funding priorities in the President’s budget including women’s health, lowering prescription drug costs, behavioral health, cybersecurity, and increasing access to care. Secretary Becerra emphasized… (Eisen, March 21, 2024) #Budget, #Costs, #Delivery Reform, #Drug Pricing, #Long-Term Care, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prevention, #Privacy, #Public Health, #Telehealth, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) held a presentation to discuss the Office’s Catalytic Program on Utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The catalytic program is intended to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the IRA. OCCHE is hosting a series… (McClurg, March 21, 2024) #Hospitals

The House Appropriations Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education Subcommittee convened a hearing with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to examine President Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Impact Summary). The Secretary highlighted numerous key funding priorities in the President’s budget including women’s health, lowering prescription drug costs, and increasing access… (Marceno, March 20, 2024) #Budget, #COVID-19, #Drug Pricing, #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Primary Care, #Public Health

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced two funding opportunities aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes across the United States. The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, administered in partnership with the Administration for Children & Families (ACF), seeks to provide coordinated and comprehensive early childhood home visiting services to eligible families, targeting… (Colocho, March 20, 2024) #Health Equity, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced (model website) a new voluntary model to test how prospective payments and increased funding for primary care in accountable care organizations (ACOs) impact health outcomes, quality, and costs of care.The ACO Primary Care Flex Model (ACO PC Flex Model) will focus on primary care delivery in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) for low… (McClurg, March 19, 2024) #Accountable Care Organizations, #Delivery Reform, #Primary Care

President Biden issued an executive order entitled “Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation” aimed at transforming women’s health research across the life span at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and beyond through new investments (fact sheet). This follows the President’s fiscal year 2025 budget request, which includes $12 billion in new funding to create a Fund for Women’s Health… (Slifer, March 18, 2024) #Health Equity, #National Institutes of Health, #Women’s Health