Fierce Healthcare spoke with HIA’s Brett Meeks after HIA’s statement about a proposed new rule that would drastically expand ONC’s review of products used by the health care industry.
The Health Innovation Alliance promptly criticized the rule as an overreach of HHS’ authority. Executive Director of HIA Brett Meeks told Fierce Healthcare he is approaching the rule cautiously, and with an eye to the possibility that the rule could dramatically expand the scope of HHS purview.
Historically, ONC has only certified electronic health records. Meeks said the new rule could impact the technology that a broader swath of the healthcare industry is using, like public health data and health information systems.
Meeks said ASTP has made several shocking moves in recent weeks, like its massive reorganization that shifts its role within HHS.
“In the past few weeks, HHS’s IT office has given themselves a promotion and proposed to drastically expand their review of products used by the health care industry,” a statement by HIA says. “This morning, it announced the mandates of its proposals: all grantees or programs with a connection to HHS funding must use products the agency has approved.”