eHI and CDT Release Draft Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data

Wednesday, August 26

For Immediate Release

Contact: Alice Leiter at alice@ehidc.org / eseeger@cdt.org

eHI and CDT Release Draft Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data

Collaborative Group Proposes Self-Regulatory Model & Standards Focused on Non-HIPAA Health Data

Washington, DC – August 26, 2020 – Today the eHealth Initiative & Foundation (eHI) and the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) released A Draft Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data. The Framework includes a description of the health data that warrant protection, as well as the standards and rules that should govern them. The Framework also includes a self-regulatory model that would hold companies accountable to these standards and...Read more

Pharma and Payers Tackle COVID-19 with Increased Investment in Social Determinants

Pharma and Payers Tackle COVID-19 with Increased Investment in Social Determinants
Revealed in New eHealth Initiative Report

Washington, DC – August 7, 2020 – Today, eHealth Initiative Foundation (eHI) released Insights from Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Payers: Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Advancing Health Equity. The paper shares examples of collaborative initiatives currently deployed by pharmaceutical manufacturers and payers to address SDOH during COVID-19.

“The pandemic has revealed dramatic disparities in testing, care, treatment and health outcomes across minority populations” said Jen Covich Bordenick, Chief Executive Officer of eHI. “It was encouraging to learn about the different partnerships that pharmaceutical manufacturers and payers are leveraging to tackle the issues.”...Read more

eHealth Initiative Supports Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020

eHealth Initiative Supports Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020

Bipartisan Legislation Led by House Telehealth Caucus



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC – July 16, 2020 – Today, Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), David Schweikert (R—AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 to ensure Medicare beneficiaries can continue to access critical healthcare services after the COVID-19 public health emergency period.

The legislation comes after eHealth Initiative (eHI) joined other leading digital health associations and more than 300 organizations to send a letter to Congress outlining the immediate actions necessary to ensure...Read more

eHealth Initiative Statement on Final Interoperability Rules

Washington, DC – March 9, 2020 – Today, the Department of Health and Human Services released two final rules that will have a profound impact on the way patient information is exchanged – and the healthcare system as a whole. The two rules implement interoperability and patient access provisions contained in 2016’s 21st Century Cures Act and are designed to improve the ability of patients to securely access their own personal health information.

The final rule from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), entitled 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program, and the final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),...Read more

340 Organizations Send Letter to Congress Urging Action on Telehealth

WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 29, 2020 - Today, 340 organizations signed a letter urging Congressional leaders to make telehealth flexibilities created during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent. Those signing this multi-stakeholder letter include national and regional organizations representing a full range of health care stakeholders and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Congress quickly waived statutory barriers to allow for expanded access to telehealth at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing federal agencies with the flexibility to allow healthcare providers to deliver care virtually. If Congress does not act before the COVID-19 public health emergency expires, current flexibilities will immediately disappear.

Therefore, 340 stakeholders have sent a powerful...Read more

eHealth Initiative Supports Passage of CARES Act – Urges Further Action FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC – March 27, 2020 – Today, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The legislation includes key health IT provisions, supported by eHealth Initiative (eHI) and more than two dozen leading health IT and digital health organizations.

The legislation builds off eHI’s advocacy work to broaden Medicare reimbursement of telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration. Provisions in the CARES Act allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive any underlying statutory restriction on Medicare telehealth reimbursement, which would allow additional providers to offer telehealth services. The provision also removes waiver limitations included in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations – removing a requirement that a provider...Read more

eHealth Initiative Leads Effort to Request Relief for Providers Fighting COVID-19

Washington, DC – March 23, 2020 – Today, eHealth Initiative (eHI) sent a letter to Congress signed by 21 leading digital health and health IT organizations, outlining support for certain provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as well as additional steps to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Digital health, telehealth, and remote monitoring technology can help providers effectively triage and treat COVID-19 patients,” says Jennifer Covich Bordenick, Chief Executive Officer of eHI. “There is an urgent need to remove regulations and help providers scale this technology quickly.”

The letter outlines support for telehealth provisions, including increased funding, as well as provisions related to the sharing of patient health information....Read more

eHealth Initiative Applauds Inclusion of Telehealth Provision in $8 Billion Deal to Fight Coronavirus

eHealth Initiative and Center for Democracy & Technology Launch Effort: “Building A Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data”

eHealth Initiative and Center for Democracy & Technology Launch Effort: “Building A Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data”

Washington, D.C. – February 12, 2020 – With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, eHealth Initiative (eHI) and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) are collaborating on Building a Consumer Privacy Framework for Health Data, designed to address the current gaps in legal protections for health data outside HIPAA’s coverage. Large amounts of data fall through these gaps, including from wellness apps, wearable devices, and informational online health sites.

A steering committee of experts and leaders representing healthcare, technology, advocacy groups and consumers has been formed to...Read more

eHealth Initiative and Booz Allen Hamilton Release Report Aimed at Securing Connected Medical Devices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 28, 2019 – eHealth Initiative & Foundation (eHI) and Booz Allen Hamilton, released a joint report, “Securing Connected Medical Devices” to help industry stakeholders address the challenges associated with cyber security of connected medical devices. The medical device ecosystem is at a critical moment where strong leadership across industry, government, and the public is needed to prepare for a secure connected future. This document helps set the stage for the discussion.

“All connected medical devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks. When cybersecurity risks are not mitigated, clinical efficacy and patient safety are negatively impacted, and companies are left financially vulnerable,” said...Read more