Health IT Advisory Committee to hold first meeting

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appoints Grey, Miri to 2 remaining slots on 30-member panel.


The new Health Information Technology Advisory Committee, charged under the 21st Century Cures Act with making recommendations to the National Coordinator for HIT on the implementation of healthcare infrastructure, will hold its inaugural meeting Thursday.

The 30-member HITAC, which replaces ONC’s HIT Policy and Standards committees, is now fully staffed. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), in his capacity as Senate minority leader, filled the panel’s remaining two slots by appointing Valerie Grey, executive director of the New York eHealth Collaborative, and Aaron Miri, chief information officer at security vendor Imprivata, to the committee.

Grey and Miri join appointments made by other congressional leaders, the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Government Accountability Office.

Also See: GAO appoints 15 members to new Health IT Advisory Committee

“I am honored to serve on this committee and look forward to working to move our healthcare system forward through innovations and technologies that advance electronic access, exchange and use of health information, resulting in healthier patients and communities,” said Grey.

“From reducing medical errors to the better management of chronic disease and supporting public health and protecting vulnerable populations, HIT will continue to grow in importance and influence in the healthcare environment,” she added. “The advisory committee will help shape the next phase of health information exchange in our country, while ensuring the interests of patients and the public remain at the center.”

The HITAC has its work cut out for it. The Cures Act states that “not later than 30 days after the date on which the HIT Advisory Committee first meets, (it) shall develop a schedule for the assessment of policy recommendations.”

According to ONC, the panel’s recommendations are expected to relate to the implementation of national and local HIT infrastructure, including policies, standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria that advance the electronic access, exchange, and use of health information.

Additional details about the HITAC’s kick-off meeting today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET is available here, including an agenda, slide presentations, as well as web conference and dial-in information.

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