Civitas Networks for Health

‼️ Want to be part of the conversation shaping the future of Health Data Utilities (HDUs)? ‼️ Our newest HDU resource – the HDU Framework Supplement Version 1 – is now open for public comment. This updated draft guidance outlines key strategies for leveraging HDUs to advance interoperability, equity, and responsible health data governance. Your input is essential in shaping this resource for the future of health care and public health. Submit your feedback by January 31, 2025. 🖇️ Access the Supplement: https://lnkd.in/eVNzdVZD ✏️ Submit Feedback: https://lnkd.in/dcCV4Psk or via email to hdu@civitasforhealth.org. #Interoperability #HealthData #PublicHealth

Civitas member event alert🚨: WEDI 2025 Winter Forum Join the WEDI team February 12-13, 2025, for a Virtual Spotlight Event on leveraging data and technology to address health care accessibility gaps and improve care delivery for underserved communities. In the forum, they'll cover/share: 🌟Insights into the role of data in advancing equity and enabling better resource allocation. 🌟 Exploration of interoperability and data standards for seamless care coordination. 🌟 Strategies for optimizing EHRs to meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations. 🌟 Inspiration from innovative programs transforming care delivery through data-driven approaches. 🌟 A balanced discussion on patient data sharing vs. privacy. Whether you’re a health care professional, policymaker, or innovator, this forum is your chance to learn, connect, and help shape a more equitable health care system. Learn more and register today. https://lnkd.in/eAXtqc5U #HealthEquity #HealthIT #DataDrivenHealthcare #WEDI2025

👉 Exploring AI Governance with Health Data Utilities (HDUs) We're excited to share insights from Civitas Networks for Health's latest article on the critical role of HDUs in AI governance. As AI continues to transform health care, HDUs provide a robust foundation for equitable, safe, and effective AI integration. Their state-designated authority and inclusive governance structures ensure that health data reflects the needs of diverse populations. A big thank you to Civitas for this insightful piece! 🙌 Read more! 🔗https://lnkd.in/eYmeMx4h #HealthIT #Ai #AIML #HIE #HDU #healthEquity #Interoperability #Data

🚨 CBO Goes #DOGE Wild, Offers Cap to Fed #Medicaid Admin Match Rates At the request of the House and Senate Committees on the Budget, the Congressional Budget Office (#CBO) has released 74 options to reduce the federal budget deficit from 2025 to 2034. It is a cornerstone doc to guide #GoodGovernment decision-making. That said, I want to discuss why the CBO's proposal to cap federal Medicaid match rates for admin expenses at 50% is troubling. First, a primer: to run a state #Medicaid program, you need to have a Medicaid program. You need people, processes, & tech to: ▪️ Enroll low-income kids & adults in coverage; ▪️ Build & manage plan & provider networks (& oversee #MCOs); ▪️ Confirm svc eligibility; ▪️ Manage claims processing; ▪️ Support #HIE, from #EHR adoption to application; ▪️ Oversee & report on system integrity (e.g., detect fraud, waste, & abuse) & performance (e.g., quality measurement), among countless other functions. As part of the federal-state Medicaid deal, the federal govt covers at least half of these costs, w certain functions receiving a higher match rates (e.g., #MMIS claims processing, fraud control, EHR incentives, system upgrades). And despite the bevvy of new federal & state functional and reporting reqs placed on Medicaid prgns, admin costs have remained at ~5% of total spend. (For comparison, private health plan #MLRs allow double that.) Now, this isn't a small number. In FY23, total national Medicaid admin spending was $34.4B, w ~39% of that covered by states, ~61% by the feds. Rebalancing this to 50-50, CBO believes would save $69B over 10 yrs (~$6-8B/yr). But here's the rub: ▶️ The enhanced match is where innovation happens. It is what supports system upgrades, state health infrastructure development -from #HDUs to #APCDs- data improvement & system monitoring. Cutting it would cut the wheat from the chaff, esp for smaller states. ▶️ Smaller states benefit most. For giggles, I ran a quick hit on CMS-64 data (below). Even though admin match rates aren't tied to state income like #FMAPs, the results don't look too different (which raises other Qs for me.) ▶️ There is no alternative. Cutting Medicaid admin costs will only stretch already thin state systems. If the new Admin wishes to empower states, states need effective infrastructure. Alternatively, we could start collaborating -regionally or nationally- on more efficient, shared infrastructure. (My phone is always on.) There is much in the CBO report worth debating, but too often, I find, it is our #healthdata infrastructure that gets short shrift, and is quietly cut in last-minute deals. Our nation needs big, hairy, revolutionary thinking when it comes to how we fix our leaking #healthdata pipes, but cutting funding for our crude model without an alternative is not a solution. h/t MACPAC - Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission National Association of Health Data Organizations, Civitas Networks for Health https://lnkd.in/eZk_2rFB

Our member, VITL, is seeking a Results Delivery Services Partner for health care organizations in Vermont.    🗓 Submission Deadline: January 7, 2025, 5:00 PM ET    Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eq8Yrp95     Help advance health IT solutions for Vermonters!    #HealthIT #VITL #HealthcareInnovation 

New research from Gallup and Civitas member, West Health, reveals that public perception of U.S. health care quality has dropped to a 24-year low. This underscores critical challenges we must address together to build a more equitable, effective health care system.    Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/eEir7j8Y    #HealthCareQuality #HealthEquity #GallupResearch 

Read our end of year letter from Civitas Networks for Health's CEO, Lisa B.. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to our members and community partners!

HIMSS 2025 is around the corner and Civitas Networks for Health is proud to be a collaborator for this year’s conference. We’re excited to see our industry partners and members in Las Vegas this March.    Haven’t registered yet? Civitas members have access to an exclusive discount code. Email contact@civitasforhealth.org to take advantage.    Additionally, if you’re part of a Civitas member organization and are planning to attend, we will be hosting a member meetup on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. PT. We’ll be sending out details via email in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to see you all!    To learn more about HIMSS 2025, visit https://lnkd.in/gAquHmad. 

Last week, we kicked off our FHIR Deep Dive Webinar Series. Be sure to register for the whole series, with the next session on January 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET.    We'll hear from the Health Level Seven International’s Da Vinci Project FHIR Accelerator. Register today. https://lnkd.in/en9juNhn 

Join us at #HIMSS2025 for the Interoperability and HIE Forum!