Other industry observers say the variety of agencies in play with federal regulations create confusion industry-wide. "We need clarity and coordination of regulations," says Harry Greenspun, M.D., senior advisor health care transformation and technology, Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. "Many agencies have responsibilities for overseeing parts of the industry in quality, safety and mobility." Greenspun describes the regulations around mobile devices for consumers as "happening in siloes. You have the FTC regulating the device, the FDA wanting to weigh in, and other parts of HHS pushing consumer engagement through these apps."
To Christian, the regulatory stability so many of his peers seek may be long in coming. "The industry won't ease up anytime soon," he says. "It won't make a difference who gets elected. We are still in a situation where health care costs are unsustainable. Even if the GOP repeals reform, or parts of it, we have to go back and answer the question of how to provide broader coverage without breaking the bank of the United States."
