June 3: It’s deadline day to file comments with the CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on their proposed rules promoting data-sharing. The companion proposals aim to increase patient control of their medical information and put an end to unsanctioned data-blocking by providers and vendors.
June 4: Speaking of health IT, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will take a look at the VA’s efforts to modernize its electronic health record system.
June 4: By virtually all accounts, CVS Health and Aetna are acting as one company, having, in their eyes, closed their $70 billion merger in November. That’s not how U.S. District Judge Richard Leon sees it. Leon, who late last year objected to being considered a “rubber stamp” for approving a settlement between the companies and the U.S. Justice Department, is holding up to three days of hearings on the merger. It’s unprecedented and unclear what will happen as a result.
June 6: Back to the VA. The department is slated to roll out its new community care program. As mandated by the Mission Act, the VA must consolidate several programs and expand access to private-sector care for veterans.
June 8-12: The weekend gets off to an exciting start in Chicago with the American Medical Association’s annual meeting. The House of Delegates get right to work on Saturday with committee hearings. Some key issues they’ll debate include: affordability of healthcare, addressing the health and social needs of homeless patients, revamping medical education, and collecting data about suicide among physicians and physicians-in-training.
