D.C. Report: Meaningful Use Stage 2, ICD-10 Compliance Delay Finalized

Blue Button gives people access to their personal health records – it allows patients to download their health information electronically and transfer their information to other providers. The Blue Button for America Project specifically aims to create awareness of tools and apps to help patients gain access to their electronic health information to help them improve their healthcare. This program also hopes to create demand for such products outside of the VA. This health information includes, but is not limited to: lab results, medication lists and drug allergies, and claims and treatment data.

The 18 fellows were chosen from a pool of over 700 candidates for five projects. The other projects are: MyGov, Open Data Initiatives, RFP-EZ, and the 20% Initiative. Read more about these programs here.

House Members Join Chorus of Stakeholders Seeking Specifics on ACA Implementation
In a letter sent to CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner this week, House Energy and Commerce Republicans pushed for answers first raised by state Medicaid directors and Republican governors about specific health reform details.  Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and health subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) said CMS needs to specify when certain regulations related to health insurance exchanges and Medicaid will be issued and when final regulations will be completed.  “Basic requirements, such as essential health benefits and actuarial value, have not even been outlined in a proposed rule,” the Representatives said.  “As you know, it has been nearly two and a half years since the president signed his health care plan into law and today, there are 500 days until the major provisions in the law are fully implemented.  While it seems [the] Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services intends to delay any major announcements until after November, states do not have the luxury of procrastination.”  Representatives Upton and Pitts point out that states must submit exchange applications by November 16 – “less than 100 days away” – but recent verbal guidance from CMS officials have said states are free to apply after that date.

The prominent House members request that CMS respond to letters from the Republican governors and state Medicaid officials by no later than September 3, 2012.  And they request that an outline of all outstanding exchange and Medicaid-related regulations (with associated timelines for completion) be submitted to the Committee by the same date.

The AHA has also sought further clarification on ACA Medicaid expansion.  A copy of their letter can be found here.