Steve Posnack of ASTP/ONC, Carolyn Clancy of the VA and Grace Cordovano of DiMe
Photo: Jessica Hagen/MobiHealthNews
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) event Healthcare 2030 here on Monday, panelists discussed how U.S. federal policy, regulation and reimbursement will shape the future of healthcare.
The panel, entitled "Policy as a Catalyst: Government's Role in Building Healthcare 2030," included Carolyn Clancy, assistant under secretary for health at the Veterans Health Administration (VA), and Steve Posnack, principal deputy assistant secretary for technology policy at the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, (ASTP/ONC).
According to Clancy, the COVID-19 pandemic forced federal policy-makers to be creatively resourceful to help connect patients and veterans to the care they needed.
"The VA had a huge advantage because we had been doing telehealth in some fashion as almost a little boutique adjunct to the main show since about 2006. It was not integrated seamlessly with the rest of clinical care, but when the pandemic came we had much stronger foundations," Clancy said.
Clancy noted that the VA launched a teleICU program and began launching teleoncology.
"What really amazed me during the pandemic was how much people leaned forward with telerehabilitation," Clancy said. "My favorite example was Whole Health at the VA by which we are focusing on a veteran's mission, their goals, not just end of life but throughout their life."
Regarding the information blocking enforcement announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Posnack addressed what changes could be expected in the next 12 to 24 months.
"Our office is responsible for the information blocking regulations. We had a boot camp recently to engage the startup and, I would say, the early innovator community. We are looking to do that again for everyone's benefit. So, keep your eyes peeled for those types of opportunities in the future. We're trying to double down on our engagement and education that we can do in the field," Posnack said.
"We have now, since the 2016 Cures Act, adopted regulations on our side. Our colleagues at the Office of Inspector General also adopted their regulations. Our colleagues at CMS, among other parties in the department, have established what are called disincentives for healthcare providers."
Posnack noted that there will be action at some point from his colleagues at the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
"They do their own thing. They are independent. Do not forget, they are OIG and then work on our side from a certification program perspective as well," Posnack said.
Clancy pointed out that many physicians are very excited about healthcare transformation.
"It is not like you are starting from ground zero. In fact, many are unique problem solvers, and if they see a problem, they are just going to blaze forward," Clancy said.
Clancy also discussed how the VA is integrating digital tools like remote monitoring, AI scribes and simulation training into everyday care as well as what lessons commercial innovators should take away from that.
"Next month, we are launching ambient dictation. We had preceded this launch with what we call a tech sprint. For those of you not familiar with that phrase … essentially, we put a call out to industry and said, 'Come show us your product, and you are going to have to show us in our simulation center.' We have a national one in Orlando," Clancy said.
Posnack talked about how agencies work with others to align on interoperability, digital health adoption and AI governance.
"Over the past several years, we have created what are called United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Plus initiatives. So, understanding we have a core set of data I like to call the USCDI prime that we manage and maintain and we work with other partners in HHS in particular to better understand their data needs that could be added to our core dataset," Posnack said.
Regarding addressing gaps in care in more underserved and rural areas, Posnack pointed out that there is a $50 billion program that CMS released for rural health transformation that is directed to states.
"I would encourage you all to check that out, especially if you support individuals in states. That will be a big opportunity for those you got to remember the estimates from the electronic health record adoption program," Posnack said.
Clancy said the most important thing that innovators, payers and providers can do in the next three to five years is to ensure that it works for the target audience.
"This is not about wow, we want another big AI initiative because it sounds really cool. We've got to have faith and absolutely rock-solid confidence that this is going to make care more effective for veterans and, frankly, give them more of a voice in their care. You cannot do that sitting in the industry lab. You just can't. So, we welcome your coming to us with ideas," Clancy said.
