Lots of buzz on health IT during our incredibly successful U.S. National Health IT Week this year. I am proud of the HIMSS team’s commitment to work with our 540 partners from across the healthcare community representing government, healthcare delivery organizations, universities, non-profits and market suppliers to celebrate our collective commitment to ensure IT supports healthcare transformation in the U.S. Our activities across the country included state and local proclamations and a wave of social media punctuated by the incredible #IHeartHIT stories from HIMSS members and contributors.
Our advocacy efforts this year mobilized around a Virtual March on Washington in support of the Data: Elemental to Health Campaign to secure a commitment from Congress to modernize public health data systems. We are calling for $100 million in funding for fiscal year 2020 and $1 billion over the next decade for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the increasing concern that our antiquated public health infrastructure is unable to keep up with the rapidly changing preparedness and data analytics needs of the public health community.
By supporting a commitment to healthy communities and reaching out to Congress, we can help create a modern public health ecosystem that will enable automated, interoperable, and rapid data exchange, ultimately protecting the health of all Americans from the public health threats of tomorrow.
U.S. National Health IT WEEK: Virtual March
We Need Your Help to Build 21st-Century Health Data Infrastructure
Ask your senators and representatives to support efforts to modernize the nation's public health data systems and core infrastructure.
Leadership Awards and Reception
In Washington, D.C., we hosted the partners and awards reception to honor congressional, federal and state leaders. All of our awardees shared their personal and professional commitment to leverage IT to expand access to high-quality care and ensure federal funds support health IT modernization for veterans, public health and connected care services, while finding ways to give providers the tools they need to focus on “patients over paperwork.”
Policy Discussions—Supporting Healthy Communities
As we leverage U.S. National Health IT Week to look toward the next phase of health IT innovation, the HIMSS team and our members are committed to supporting healthy communities in five key areas.
RELATED: Supporting Healthy Communities Infographic
Whether it’s advancing public and population health, accelerating workforce development, expanding access to broadband and telehealth, or providing thought leadership on health IT’s role in addressing the social determinants of health, we look forward to engaging with all of you to sustain the momentum of #NHITWeek.
As I’ve said before, our work is never done, but I have the pleasure of working with all of you to achieve our vision of a healthcare system that leverages information and technology to realize the full health potential of every human, everywhere.
Interested in learning how you can help? Send me a message to policy@himss.org.
Help Reform Health Globally with Information and Technology
Our vision is a world where no matter who you are or where you live, there is access to everything you need to achieve well-being. Be part of the community helping to reimagine the health ecosystem and guiding the way to a brighter future.
Originally published October 19, 2018