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- ONC advisory committee examines affordability and HIT policy
The Health IT Advisory Committee (HITAC) of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) held a full-day public meeting on May 7. The discussion focused largely on health care affordability and how health IT policy can help address rising costs.
The impact: HITAC advises the ONC on federal health IT policy. CAP member Hung S. Luu, PharmD, MD, FCAP, serves on the committee.
The big picture: ONC leaders highlighted three areas of priority:
- Affordability
- Data liquidity—secure, seamless data flow across the health system
- Health care technology innovation
Panel discussions explored how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and crowdsourcing information tools by payers, regulators, and health IT companies is intersecting with policy issues related to prior authorization, payer practices, and price transparency under the No Surprises Act.
Key takeaway: Payer and technology representatives discussed the potential for technology to speed prior authorization, reduce burdens on providers and patients, improve price transparency, and empower consumers.
- Other stakeholders raised concerns that AI could accelerate denials, discussed the importance of human review, and highlighted the challenges of knowing in advance the costs of individual healthcare services.
The CAP view: The CAP has long advocated for prior authorization reform and appropriate price transparency, both central to the HITAC discussion. We will continue to monitor HITAC’s work and keep members informed as policy recommendations develop.