Government & Policy

The investment is intended to ease backlog of patients seeking outpatient appointments.

We're getting on toward the end of the quarter, so we've welcomed back the HIMSS Government Relations team – SVP of Government Relations Tom Leary, Senior Director Jeff Coughlin and Director for Government Relations and Health Policy David Gray – to share impressions, hopes and predictions for the new Biden Administration. From the HIMSS Media side, host Jonah Comstock, Healthcare IT News Executive Editor Mike Miliard and HITN Senior Editor Kat Jercich led the conversation. This episode was recorded on Thursday March 10th, just before President Biden's prime time address and about a week before Xavier Becerra's confirmation vote.  Like what you hear? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play! Talking points: Prioritizing equity and access in vaccine distribution. HIMSS’ letter to the Biden administration. What can we learn from the American Rescue Act? Spending billions to save trillions – modernizing public health. What to expect when the info-blocking rules kick in. The role of the government, if any, in vaccine credentialing. Broadband and health equity. Predictions and expectations about Biden’s healthcare appointees, from HHS to FDA. Impacts of the Democratic Party’s slim majority. More about this story: HIMSS' letter to the Biden Administration New HHS Secretary Becerra urged to expand digital health access ONC chief Micky Tripathi talks public health data systems and "health equity by design" COVID-19 relief package includes health IT expansion Compliance with ONC and CMS rules could offer growth opportunity FDA streamlines pathway to at-home asymptomatic COVID-19 test approval Medicare for All push resurrected by U.S. House of Representatives Hospitals and insurers applaud Senate confirmation of a Xavier Becerra as HHS Secretary Biden Administration invests in expanding COVID-19 testing and treatments in schools and underserved communities Biden announces national vaccine finder website, May 1 eligibility for all adults House approves $1.9 trillion rescue plan, which now goes before Biden for his signature

Minutes after the full Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra's cabinet nomination, advocacy groups were reminding him of the need to bring the American healthcare system "into the 21st century."

With its promise of virtual care in all 50 states, this is the first time a big tech firm will be directly in the healthcare services business. Will it be another failed experiment, or the breakthrough we've been waiting for?

Both nominees enjoyed bipartisan support from members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

In another reminder of the ongoing digital divide, the report shows that providers and policymakers need to think about health equity and help make sure virtual care works for everyone.

The waivers on some virtual care restrictions are likely to be lifted in the near future – but providers have some options. 

Passengers travelling to Martinique and Guadeloupe will use smartphone app to prove COVID-safe status.

As he focuses on shoring up data-sharing resiliency and ensuring that new IT initiatives bake in SDOH as a "fundamental design criterion," the new national coordinator also reminded people about an important April 5 start date.