Washington Debrief: Bracing for MACRA Regs
Lawmaker Considers a Mandate to Inform Patients of Ransomware Occurrence
Key Takeaway: On the heels of more reports of ransomware incidences at health systems across the nation, a California lawmaker is considering the circumstances under which patients should be notified of an attack.
Why it matters: Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), a member of Subcommittee on Information Technology of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has suggested revisions to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) to include a directive that hospitals notify patients if it is the victim to ransomware.
Under current law, facilities must notify their patients if their health records have been stolen or compromised during a breach. A ransomware attack may not extract patient data, rather it may only impede access to such data by providers. Lieu has also expressed interest in pursuing legislation to combat information blocking.
MACRA!
Key Takeaway: Not only is spring in the air, so is MACRA.
Why it Matters: CMS sent it proposed MACRA rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on March 25. This means the regulation is inching closer to publication.
ONC Annual Meeting
Key Takeaway: Mark your calendars – ONC annual meeting is around the corner.
Why it Matters: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is sponsoring its 6th annual meeting at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. May 31-June 2. This year will bring three days of non-stop health IT talk. A third day was added this year to devote more time to discussing how to better enable “consumers to become partners in their health … through access to their health information and technology.” Stay tuned for registration details.
