HHS Announces New Rules Governing Electronic Health Records

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

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HHS Announces New Rules Governing Electronic Health Records

Mar 10, 2020, 11:43 AM by MSDC Staff

HHS announced yesterday new rules designed to make patient data more available to patients and improve interoperability of systems.

On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced long-awaited final rules to improve the interoperability of electronic health records

The rules were announced yesterday but were overshadowed by questions around the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.

The two rules were issued by the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and CMS. Among the changes addressed by the rules are:

Establishing a standard API to allow the creation of patient apps and making health records accessible via mobile device.
Further defining "reasonable and necessary activities that do not constitute information blocking" and establish new procedures to prevent "information blocking".
Requiring EHRs to provide certain data to be made available to the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) to better coordinate care plans and patient matching with demographic considerations included.
Establishing a new Condition of Participation (CoP) for all Medicaid and Medicare participating hospitals, requiring them to send electronic notifications to another health facility when a patient is discharged or admitted.

Physicians and facilities can find out more information on the ONC and CMS website.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.