The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Public Policy Committee published a list of three congressional "asks" that address legislative goals for cybersecurity, telehealth and health IT.
Here are three recommendations HIMSS made to Congress for 2017-2018.
1. Create an HHS cyber leader role. HIMSS asked Congress to elevate the HHS chief information security officer to be a peer of the HHS CIO to advance cybersecurity efforts in the healthcare sector.
2. Pass the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill would expand Medicare coverage of telehealth services and remove geographic and originating sites restrictions on telehealth for ACOs.
3. Invest in infrastructure to support 21st century healthcare. HIMSS recommends Congress expand broadband access so providers can use health IT to its fullest potential. HIMSS adds Congress should also adopt the CDC's "Vision for Public Health Surveillance in the 21st Century" to modernize public health reporting.
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