[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":461,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"Healthcare information technology and provider groups are concerned that a proposed rule from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT does not fulfill the intent of the 21st Century Cures Act. Seven stakeholder organizations sent a letter<\/a> to House and Senate committee leaders Monday, urging them to ensure that the goals of the Cures Act are met.They asked the committees to <\/b>continue their congressional oversight of the \u201clandmark\u201d legislation and expressed their concern that provisions of ONC\u2019s recent proposed rule \u201cjeopardizes important goals to foster a healthcare system that is interoperable, patient-engaged and reduces burdens for those delivering care.\u201dThe letter was signed by the American Health Information Management Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, Federation of American Hospitals, Medical Group Management Association and Premier.Earlier this year, ONC issued a proposed rule intended to make electronic health information accessible to both patients and providers. However, the seven stakeholders groups question whether the aims of the agency\u2019s proposal will implement the Cures Act in a way that best meets the needs of patients and providers.\u201cWhile we are pleased the Administration is working to operationalize several requirements in Cures that seek to improve information sharing and patient care through use of APIs, at the same time it is imperative that policies be put in place to prevent inappropriate disclosures to third-parties and resultant harm to patients,\u201d states their letter.To further the objectives of the Cures Act, the groups made several recommendations to the committees they contend will ensure that ONC\u2019s final rule \u201cdoes not unreasonably increase provider burden or hinder patient care.\u201dIn particular, the groups called for the following to be included in the regulations:\u2022 Additional rulemaking prior to finalization: To ensure a sufficient level of industry review and to appropriately respond to stakeholder feedback, ONC should issue a supplemental rulemaking to address outstanding questions and concerns. \u2022 Enhanced privacy and security: The proposed rule does not sufficiently address Cures\u2019 directives to protect patient data privacy and ensure health IT security. Further, it is imperative that the Committee continue its oversight of privacy and security issues that fall outside of the HIPAA regulatory framework. \u2022 Appropriate implementation timelines: ONC should establish reasonable timelines for any required use of certified electronic health record technology. Providers must be given sufficient time to deploy and test these systems, which must take into account competing regulatory mandates. \u2022 Revised enforcement: The Department of Health and Human Services should use discretion in its initial enforcement of the data blocking provisions of the regulation, prioritizing education and corrective action plans over monetary penalties.Under the Cures Act, the HHS Office of the Inspector General is given the authority to investigate claims of information blocking and assign financial penalties of as much as $1 million per violation for practices found to be interfering with the lawful sharing of electronic health records. If finalized in its current form, the ONC rule could be used by HHS OIG to take enforcement activities against those bad actors that impede the electronic flow of health data\u2014a prospect that concerns the seven groups.\u201cHHS should use discretion in its initial enforcement, prioritizing education and corrective action over monetary penalties,\u201d their letter concludes. \u201cWe assert that prioritizing education will be more effective over the long-term in ensuring clinicians, hospitals and health information professionals are in compliance, as they will better understand the regulatory requirements.\u201d","saveContent":"Healthcare information technology and provider groups are concerned that a proposed rule from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT does not fulfill the intent of the 21st Century Cures Act. Seven stakeholder organizations sent a letter<\/a> to House and Senate committee leaders Monday, urging them to ensure that the goals of the Cures Act are met.They asked the committees to <\/b>continue their congressional oversight of the \u201clandmark\u201d legislation and expressed their concern that provisions of ONC\u2019s recent proposed rule \u201cjeopardizes important goals to foster a healthcare system that is interoperable, patient-engaged and reduces burdens for those delivering care.\u201dThe letter was signed by the American Health Information Management Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, Federation of American Hospitals, Medical Group Management Association and Premier.Earlier this year, ONC issued a proposed rule intended to make electronic health information accessible to both patients and providers. However, the seven stakeholders groups question whether the aims of the agency\u2019s proposal will implement the Cures Act in a way that best meets the needs of patients and providers.\u201cWhile we are pleased the Administration is working to operationalize several requirements in Cures that seek to improve information sharing and patient care through use of APIs, at the same time it is imperative that policies be put in place to prevent inappropriate disclosures to third-parties and resultant harm to patients,\u201d states their letter.To further the objectives of the Cures Act, the groups made several recommendations to the committees they contend will ensure that ONC\u2019s final rule \u201cdoes not unreasonably increase provider burden or hinder patient care.\u201dIn particular, the groups called for the following to be included in the regulations:\u2022 Additional rulemaking prior to finalization: To ensure a sufficient level of industry review and to appropriately respond to stakeholder feedback, ONC should issue a supplemental rulemaking to address outstanding questions and concerns. \u2022 Enhanced privacy and security: The proposed rule does not sufficiently address Cures\u2019 directives to protect patient data privacy and ensure health IT security. Further, it is imperative that the Committee continue its oversight of privacy and security issues that fall outside of the HIPAA regulatory framework. \u2022 Appropriate implementation timelines: ONC should establish reasonable timelines for any required use of certified electronic health record technology. Providers must be given sufficient time to deploy and test these systems, which must take into account competing regulatory mandates. \u2022 Revised enforcement: The Department of Health and Human Services should use discretion in its initial enforcement of the data blocking provisions of the regulation, prioritizing education and corrective action plans over monetary penalties.Under the Cures Act, the HHS Office of the Inspector General is given the authority to investigate claims of information blocking and assign financial penalties of as much as $1 million per violation for practices found to be interfering with the lawful sharing of electronic health records. If finalized in its current form, the ONC rule could be used by HHS OIG to take enforcement activities against those bad actors that impede the electronic flow of health data\u2014a prospect that concerns the seven groups.\u201cHHS should use discretion in its initial enforcement, prioritizing education and corrective action over monetary penalties,\u201d their letter concludes. \u201cWe assert that prioritizing education will be more effective over the long-term in ensuring clinicians, hospitals and health information professionals are in compliance, as they will better understand the regulatory requirements.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

ONC rule comes under fire from HIT, provider organizations

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