Columbua, Ohio, April 3, 2013 -- The connection between Ohio's economic future and Technology in Healthcare will be the focus of discussions with legislators at the Ohio Statehouse by advocates of Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) on April 11.

Legislation introduced March 27 by North Carolina state senators Bob Rucho and Harry Brown seeks a number of measures to improve transparency in healthcare costs provided by hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.

April 2, 2013 -- Healthbox, a leading business accelerator that supports early-stage health care companies, kicked off its second program today in Kendall Square. After completing the inaugural Boston program in November 2012, Healthbox and anchor partner Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), quickly launched a second program dedicated to supporting innovative start-up companies to respond to continued industry demand for creative solutions to pervasive healthcare challenges.

Rep. Diana Black (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on March 21 to amend the HITECH Act to decrease regulatory burden for certain providers struggling to meet Meaningful Use requirements.

With the EHR safe harbor provision set to expire at the end of 2013, one lawmaker is urging the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) to take action to renew the arrangement that allows the donation of EHR technology and electronic prescribing under certain instances.

CMS and the California Department of Health Care Services announced on March 27 that they have entered into a Duals Demonstration Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to integrate care for dual eligible Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiaries as part of California’s Coordinate Care Initiative. Under the agreement, contractor plans are required to provide for Medicare and Medicaid-covered services under a capitated model of financing.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) is seeking public input as it sets out to update its Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. ONC announced that from March 25 to May 9, it is open to receiving comments on its new web platform, Planning Room, which it launched in collaboration with Cornell University.  

The 2013 Healthcare Information and Management Information Society (HIMSS) annual convention was a busy, informative and insightful time in New Orleans. During the Physicians’ IT Symposium, co-hosted by AMDIS, I was particularly struck by the realization that we are at the point where the vision of the pioneers in this field has begun to be realized.