For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kelly Broadway, 202-808-8853
kbroadway@health-innovation.org
Washington, D.C. –The Health Innovation Alliance (HIA) is focused on fostering an environment where interoperability can thrive in the U.S. healthcare system. As part of HIA’s effort to expand data sharing and use and promote a modern healthcare system, we provided guidance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s proposed rule, Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability (HTI-1).
While HIA’s comments were supportive of the rule, we did highlight several actions the Department should take before the rule is finalized, including:
- Carefully considering the timelines for transitions and implementation finalized from the transition from the United States Core Data Set for Interoperability (USCDI) Version 1 to USCDI Version 3 (v3)
- Working with developers to achieve the policy goals of patient privacy with the practical implications of delivering patient care and coordinating care between providers
- Deferring regulation of technologies like artificial intelligence to the FDA and ensuring that any certification criteria do not subject electronic health record developers to unnecessary regulation as medical device manufacturers
“Interoperability within the healthcare system will create expanded access and efficiency, better patient safety, and lower costs. But the system cannot work unless the laws and regulations are specific and nimble enough to allow for innovation. Government regulation of health technology must enable innovation while balancing the need to ensure safety, reliability, and accountability. If the balance tilts too far in one direction or the other, patients pay the ultimate cost,” said Brett Meeks, Executive Director, HIA.