HIMSS Preview

Education Sessions, Networking Opportunities Promote Public Policy at HIMSS12

Developed by the HIMSS Government Relations team, HIMSS12 offers education programs and networking opportunities highlighting the society’s public policy initiatives to foster broad adoption of HIT and providing guidance to HIT stakeholders on how to get involved in public policy at the state and federal levels. Policymakers scheduled to speak at HIMSS12 include Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, national coordinator for HIT; Todd Park, chief technology officer for Health and Human Services; Carolyn Clancy, MD, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Leon Rodriguez, JD, director of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights; and Janet M. Corrigan, PhD, MBA, president and CEO of the National Quality Forum. Additional sessions will be offered by representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

On Monday, February 20, the Federal Health IT Business Development Workshop series will be back after its successful inaugural year to give attendees a better understanding and edge in the booming federal HIT market. Guest speakers such as Hon Pak, MD, former chief information officer of the Army Medical Department; Rodney Benson, former director of the Office of Acquisition and Grants at the CMS); and others will provide attendees with expertise and knowledge in developing business strategies. An advanced Business Development Workshop is available for those with experience winning business in the federal HIT market, and a 101 Market Entry Workshop is available for those new to the federal HIT market. Note: Additional registration fees are required to attend these workshops.

On Tuesday, February 21, the HIE National Landscape: Monitoring States’ Momentum will explore how health information exchanges are facilitating the vision for improved patient care quality, safety, and efficiency. Attendees will hear about successful models being implemented in states throughout the country. Also on Tuesday, Federal Health Community (FHC) Synergy Sessions will be offered. The first FHC Synergy Session will feature a speaker from the health resources and services administration; the second will feature Seth Foldy, MD, director of the Public Health Informatics & Technology Program Office at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services; and the third will include Debby Ellis, associate commissioner of Applications and Supplemental Security Income Systems for the Social Security Administration.

On Wednesday, February 22, during A Status Report From Capitol Hill: Congressional Affairs Panel, congressional experts from Washington, DC, will discuss the latest national legislative issues affecting the healthcare industry. This session will be moderated by a senior political editor from Congressional Quarterly.

Access a full list of federal and public policy activities at HIMSS12 online at www.himssconference.org/education/FederalParticipation.aspx.

— Source: HIMSS