Improving Data Access, Interoperability, and Artificial Intelligence

HLC Position:

HLC continues to be a leading player in the ongoing effort to move toward systemwide health data interoperability, which includes support for continued funding for HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) data standards. Our constructive relationship with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) removes barriers to essential data access and information sharing. As Congress focuses on broad national data privacy legislation, HLC acts to ensure that this legislation does not create unnecessary and harmful barriers restricting the flow and use of health data. Many HLC member companies have been leaders for some time now in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to make processes more efficient and to improve patient care. As with all breakthrough innovations, there is a fear of the unknown for those unfamiliar with the details and the benefits of the science. HLC has prioritized cataloguing and discussing its members’’ initiatives and successes in using AI, as well as how patients and consumers benefit from it, thereby helping to create a better understanding that can contribute to preventing ill-conceived legislation.

HLC 2023 Activity:

• Friends of HL7, of which HLC is a member, advocates to congressional appropriators to include funding for ONC’s work on the development, implementation, and testing of the HL7 FHIR® standard. In 2023, HLC successfully lobbied Congress to continue funding ONC to support work on the HL7 FHIR standard.
• HLC participates in the Healthcare Confidentiality Coalition to advocate for policies related to federal health data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. In 2023, the coalition and HLC:
  • Finalized AI principles for healthcare. These principles are being shared with policymakers and others throughout the industry.
  • Cohosted a Capitol Hill briefing on, “Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.” Representatives from EMD Group, Marshfield Clinic Health System, NewYork-Presbyterian, Oracle, and Premier presented innovations in AI at their organizations.
  • Wrote the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its Health Breach Notification Rule.
  • Held its annual HIPAA webinar for Hill staff. HLC members Epic, Johnson & Johnson, and Mayo Clinic educated Capitol Hill staff on the HIPAA privacy rule and other federal laws to protect the confidentiality of health information.
  • Hosted staff from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) and Sen. John Thune’s (R-SD) offices to discuss healthcare issues related to regulation of AI technology.
  • Hosted the Sequoia Project to discuss privacy and security policy under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA).
  • Hosted Peter Fatelnig, minister-counsellor for digital economy policies at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the United States, to discuss EU AI policy for healthcare.
  • Hosted Greg Garcia, executive director, Cybersecurity, Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council. Mr. Garcia highlighted the work of the HSCC in better preparing the health industry for cyberattacks.
  • Wrote the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding its request for comments on how regulators should approach the civil rights and equity implications of commercial data collection and processing.
  • Responded to the CMS request for comments on advancing interoperability in federal health programs.