The Future Role of Government in Health Information Technology and Digital Health

Health IT Now and the Bipartisan Policy Center convened a work group of organizations representing clinicians, patients, hospitals, and technology companies to assess the current regulatory landscape, identify the most pressing needs of users, and develop consensus on the ideal future role of government in a post-meaningful use era, and a rapidly evolving delivery system and technology environment.

Work group members came together with the common understanding that while robust specifications were helpful in the early stages of HITECH implementation, over time, the level of prescriptiveness regarding health information technology (IT) contained within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, CMS’ Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Health IT Certification Program, have contributed to
dissatisfaction and increased burden among technology users and developers.

There is considerable recognition within the federal government of the unanticipated consequences of existing regulatory requirements on key stakeholders. In fact, a number of work streams are now underway within CMS and ONC to reduce burdens and advance regulatory reforms.