News & Updates
June 10, 2021
No Surprises Act Update:

The first rule implementing a 2020 law limiting medical bills in emergencies and in other situations beyond patients’ control is under review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. Learn about this critical mandate at the WEDI Transparency Summit.

Accessing Social Determinants of Health Data through Local Data Intermediaries Initiative
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers grant programs to support projects that implement innovative models to improve minority health and reduce health disparities.
Award Amount: up to $250,000
Application Due Date: July 28, 2021, 6:00 PM ET
Biden Administration Recommends Policy Changes to Secure U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
HHS will make an initial commitment of approximately $60 million from the Defense Production Act appropriation in the American Rescue Plan to develop novel platform technologies to increase domestic manufacturing capacity for API. Greater API production domestically will help reduce reliance on global supply chains for medications that are in shortage, particularly during times of increased public health need.
Federal Agencies Align to Promote Public Health Reporting
Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed modifications to its Promoting Interoperability Program that, if finalized, would require hospitals to report on four public health and clinical data exchange measures. This proposal is the latest in a series of coordinated steps taken across HHS to leverage data standards and specifications adopted as part of ONC’s Health IT Certification Program to enable nationwide public health reporting.
HHS Office of the CTO and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health are bringing leaders and people together to accelerate the identification and implementation of innovative solutions to increase the quality of life for patients living with SCD.
CAQH and EHNAC Partner to Provide Incentives for FHIR App Developers to Become Accredited
TDRAAP accreditation program paves the way for apps and plans to connect and
for consumers to gain greater access to their healthcare data.
Outcome Statements Submitted by HITAC Members
Hackathon Aims To Kill Off Fake Health Rumors
 Hackathon, an international competition hosted by the Task Force for Global Health's Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center. While the competition sounds very COVID-relevant, in this case, the event challenged participants to dispel misinformation surrounding diseases like leprosy, Dengue fever and schistosomiasis.
Apply Now for AHRQ Funding to Improve Quality at the Point of Care
The digital healthcare ecosystem is rapidly evolving, and there is a need to build the evidence base on how digital healthcare innovations can be effectively, efficiently, and safely deployed at the point of care.

The FOA: PA-21-164 “Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33),” seeks health services research that explores the use of innovative patient-centric digital healthcare solutions to improve services at the point of care. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; the next due date is June 16, 2021.
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Prior Authorization Subworkgroup
The next Prior Authorization Subworkgroup meeting will be June 15th from 1:30-2:30ET. What do you think the group should focus on next? Take this survey to tell us if you're interested in gold carding, X215 278 Prior Authorization Inquiry, or something else.

WEDI workgroups provide thoughtful leadership and common-sense approaches that enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative healthcare information. They collect input, exchange ideas, and make recommendations that inspire impactful and far-reaching change in our industry.
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