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Liberate the Data Part II – Perspectives from Eclipsys and Microsoft on Health IT
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Posted by Peter Neupert
Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group
(Cross-posted from Neupert on Health)
Peter Neupert, Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group
It was just about a year ago at last year’s HIMSS (Health Information Management Systems Society) conference that I posted about the need to “liberate the data” within health IT systems – separating data from applications and making it available for reuse in different contexts. What I said then holds true now. For health enterprises and consumers, health data is a vital asset that can move us toward a more efficient, higher quality, evidence-based future for medicine.
While we still have a long way to go, a year later I’m encouraged by a couple of developments that indicate we’re moving in the right direction – and actually making some real progress!
First, the draft regulations on “meaningful use” include a focus on the exchange of data – acknowledging that physicians need real-time access to comprehensive patient data to improve quality, safety and efficiency, and to coordinate care effectively. The draft legislation also recognizes that engaging patients and families in managing their own health is paramount – requiring that providers make patient data accessible soon after those visits happen. For the first time, the proposed rule-making puts a stake in the ground with real ‘sticks’ and ‘carrots’ – a significant milestone in putting the foundational drivers for change in place.
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Microsoft and the FTC: A Continued Focus on Privacy
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Posted by Frank Torres
Director, Consumer Affairs
On December 7, the Federal Trade Commission will host the first in a series of day-long roundtable discussions “to explore the privacy challenges posed by the vast array of 21st century technology and business practices that collect and use consumer data.” The goal of the sessions, according to the Commission, “is to determine how best to protect consumer privacy while supporting beneficial uses of the information and technological innovation.”
As part of the ramp-up to the roundtables, the Commission invited public comments about how best to address consumer privacy in emerging technologies. Our comments focus on Health IT, online advertising, and cloud computing. These three evolving fields have a lot in common: each promises significant potential benefits for both consumers and innovators, but widespread adoption depends on ensuring users’ privacy at every step.
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A Critical Time for Health Care Reform and Health IT
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Posted by Frank Torres
Director, Consumer Affairs
Washington, D.C. is always a busy place before Congress breaks for its summer recess. But even for the nation’s capital, the amount of activity currently happening around health care is extraordinary.
President Obama is expected to discuss health care in a press conference Wednesday night. Health reform legislation is moving forward in the House and Senate. And the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Information Technology Policy Committee is meeting to decide which technologies will qualify for approximately $20 billion in stimulus funding to spur adoption of technology by health providers (what’s being called “meaningful use”) and establish certification procedures for technologies that meet the “meaningful use” standard.
Against this backdrop, leading think-tanks – the Markle Foundation, the Center for American Progress (CAP), and the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings – held a forum July 15 to frame their vision for information-driven health care. Their primary theme: Efforts to boost health IT must be aligned with the broader health reform effort underway to achieve the goals of President Obama and Congress to expand coverage, improve outcomes and control costs. At Microsoft, we couldn’t agree more.
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Connect Consumers with “Meaningful Use”
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Posted by Peter Neupert
Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group
(Cross-posted from Neupert on Health)
The current hot, behind-the-scenes, debate in Health IT (HIT) is around how “meaningful use” of HIT will be defined for purposes of the incentive payments provided in the high-tech portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since there is a lot of money at stake and a lot of interested stakeholders, I am sure it will be an energetic debate.
Hopefully the definition of “meaningful use” will include some concept of improved health outcomes (Message to Washington – It’s all about the Outcomes). I know this presents many challenges, and I don’t pretend to have the complete answer on how to best define “meaningful use.”
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President Obama’s Budget Boost for Science and Technology
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Posted by Fred Humphries
Managing Director, U.S. Government Affairs
President Obama’s proposed $3.5 trillion budget does not lack for big ideas.
And that’s good. Big ideas, especially in the areas of technology development and deployment, are just what we need. As Steve Ballmer told the Democratic Caucus last month, innovation must reclaim its status as the engine that drives our economy.
“America really has to return to growth that's built on innovation and productivity, rather than leverage and private debt,” Ballmer said. “The time has come when we need to renew our innovation capacity.”
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Microsoft Hails Senate Passage of Stimulus Package
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Posted by David Bowermaster
Administrator, Microsoft on the Issues
If you’ve been reading this blog since we launched it last month, you’ve probably figured out that Microsoft is a big proponent of the stimulus package working its way through Capitol Hill.
We have had one post highlighting the workforce development components of the proposal, and another examining the important science and technology provisions. Friday, we shared with you Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s remarks urging Congress to pass the legislation and to preserve its strategic investments in technology and innovation.
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Consumer Trust Core to Health Privacy
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Posted by Frank Torres
Consumer Affairs Director
Information about our personal health is arguably the most sensitive data we own. From chronic conditions to medications to genetic makeup, our personal health information reveals intimate details about who we are, what we do, and what we may be like in the future. As a result, ensuring its privacy and confidentiality is a principle that simply cannot be compromised.
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Message to Washington – It’s all about Outcomes
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Posted by Peter Neupert
Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group
Yesterday, I testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, otherwise known as HELP. You can see a video of my testimony here. Before getting to the substance, I need to highlight how I continue to be awe-inspired about how our government works -- in a positive way. Any body can walk into the halls of Congress and sit in and listen to a hearing. Folks from all walks of life have input via a variety of means -- and while I get it's not perfect and can be better -- I remain proud of our democratic system and feel honored to be able to contribute/participate in it.
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