The Politics of Health Care : Technology

The Trouble With Metadata & Health Privacy

Lisa Brzezicki — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:48:00 GMT

(Editor's note: This blog was written by ADVANCE editorial intern Rebecca Hepp.) Advances in technology over the past decade have raised serious concerns for patient privacy, an issue that sparked an intense panel discussion at the Second International...(read more)

HHS Announces First Batch of Health Care Innovation Awards

Lisa Brzezicki — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the first batch of organizations for Health Care Innovation awards. Made possible by the healthcare law – the Affordable Care Act – the awards will support 26 innovative projects...(read more)

CMS Reports Accountable Care Organizations Off to Strong Start

Sharlene George — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:50:00 GMT

Under the new Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program), 27 Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have entered into agreements with CMS, according to a press release issued today. The Shared Savings Program and other initiatives related...(read more)

CMS Partnership Marks Anniversary of the Signing of CHIPRA

Lisa Brzezicki — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:34:00 GMT

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced yesterday it will partner with Text4Baby, a free national health texting service, to promote enrollment in both Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and provide pregnant...(read more)

New Innovation Winners Honored by Secretary Sebelius

Lisa Algeo — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday announced six winners for Round 3 of the HHS innovates program, and said the program is part of an HHS-wide initiative "to build a constant thrust of innovation into the everyday operations...(read more)

HHS to Empower Patients to Increase Secure Access to Health Information

Lisa Algeo — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:39:00 GMT

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday proposed new rules that would expand the rights of patients to access their health information through the use of health information technology (IT). Specifically, the new rules would...(read more)

HHS Announces $11.9 Million to Implement HIT in Rural Areas

Lisa Algeo — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:33:00 GMT

Rural health networks across the nation will receive more than $11.9 million to support their adoption of health information technology (HIT) and certified electronic health records (EHR). The funding announced last week by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius...(read more)

Investing in Innovations (i2) Initiative Introduced

Lisa Algeo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:46:00 GMT

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced yesterday the Investing in Innovations (i2) Initiative - a bold new program designed to spur innovations in health IT. The program centers on prizes and competitions...(read more)

CMS Offers Financial Resources, Flexibility to Help Providers Use HIT Systems

Lisa Algeo — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:50:00 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two steps that will help modernize America's health care delivery system by encouraging doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to adopt and meaningfully use health information...(read more)

Public Comment Period on Federal Health IT Plan Open Through April 22

Frank Irving — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:49:00 GMT

ONC's plan initiates "the era of meaningful use." On March 25, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced an open public comment period on the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan: 2011-2015 ("the Plan") . ONC...(read more)

Agency Report Reveals Need to Increase Access to Medical Homes

Frank Irving — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:05:00 GMT

HRSA says model represents fundamental change in provision, coordination and management of care. According to a report released March 18 by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 57 percent of children in the United States have access...(read more)

HRSA Enhances Organ-Donation Web Site

Frank Irving — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:08:00 GMT

Agency also announces milestone in hospitals' donor-conversion rate. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which provides federal oversight and support for the nation's organ donation and transplantation network, has launched a new...(read more)

Early Innovators Awarded Grants to Implement IT Infrastructure for Health Insurance Exchanges

Frank Irving — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:27:00 GMT

HHS allocates $241 million to a diverse mix of six states and a multi-state consortium. On Feb. 16, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced the award of seven cooperative agreements to help a group of "Early Innovator" states...(read more)

Direct Project Pilots Drive Toward Exchange of Electronic Health Information

Frank Irving — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:52:00 GMT

Programs underway in Minnesota and Rhode Island; six other states will launch soon. On Feb. 2, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) announced that providers and public health agencies in Minnesota and Rhode Island have begun exchanging...(read more)

USDA Selects Grant Recipients Through Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

Frank Irving — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Nearly $35 million in funding includes expansion of access to health care services in rural areas. On Jan. 24, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 106 projects in 38 states and one territory have been selected to...(read more)