fah hospital policy blog

This morning, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to examine the recent interoperability proposed rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), which are intended to implement the 21st Century Cures Act. FAH member company LifePoint Health’s Chief Medical Informatics Officer Christopher Rehm, M.D. testified before the Committee.

This morning the leaders of seven major pharmaceutical companies are going to testify before the Senate Finance Committee. It is widely expected that they will downplay their role in the out-of-control price increases for lifesaving drugs needed by American families.

This week Members of the Finance Committee will learn what many of us already know – Alex Azar is uniquely suited to serve as HHS Secretary and ready to confront the health care challenges and opportunities facing this nation’s patients, families and caregivers.

Mr. Azar’s years of experience in both the private and public sectors equips him well to effectively lead this complex agency.

We encourage the US Senate to confirm Mr. Azar quickly. We look forward to working with him on further improving American health care delivery and financing.

Parents have a lot on their minds this time of year. First days of school, after-school activities, drop off and pick up are just some of the things keeping parents on their toes this Fall. Luckily, for the millions of parents whose children are insured by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Congress is eager to make sure, “find new health insurance,” isn’t added to the to-do list.