Health Tech
HHS continues health tech initiative with 7 new industry pledges
The Trump administration says 60% of Americans now have access to medical records through an app of their choice because of its health technology initiative.
FDA announces first company to participate in health tech pilot
Under the TEMPO pilot program, Dexcom can receive Medicare reimbursement when seniors receive care from their software.
VA expands use of extended reality tech across healthcare operations
Anne Lord Bailey, who leads VA’s Strategic Initiatives Lab, said veterans who have used immersive tech have reported therapeutic benefits that extend beyond the conditions being treated by the headsets.
FDA to pilot real-time clinical drug trials through cloud and AI
The first-of-its-kind pilot could lead to speedier regulatory approval of medical drugs and devices and potentially reduce “20, 30, 40% of overall clinical trial time,” according to FDA Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Jeremy Walsh.
CMS rule looks to kill faxed, mailed claims in favor of e-submissions
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the new rule “will modernize American healthcare by standardizing electronic claims attachments and enabling secure electronic signatures.”
AI ‘nihilism’ is a barrier to better health care, CMS lead says
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the agency has had internal discussions about introducing an agentic AI tool “for every beneficiary.”
VA’s early uses of robots have shown mixed success, but excitement remains
Early uses of robots across VA hospitals have highlighted the promises and drawbacks of the technologies, but they have also shown the capabilities these tools can offer clinicians, according to Acting Chief Innovation Officer Beth Ripley.
Lawmakers raise questions about security of health data shared with AI tools
“I do think there's some consumer safeguards that should be implemented,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said about the way AI firms may apply users’ healthcare data.
Targeted AI adoption can drive change, current and former officials say
Agencies “don't need the fanciest AI model on the marketplace” to enhance their customer-facing operations, according to former VA Chief Experience Officer John Boerstler.
Lawmakers propose grant program to boost AI training in medical schools
The bill would enable qualified medical schools and institutions to receive up to $100,000 in funding to promote AI literacy.
Post-9/11 veterans group’s project to modernize VA healthcare includes suicide prevention focus
The initiative from the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is helmed by former VA Secretary David Shulkin and is looking into seven preliminary areas of care.
AI-based suicide prevention efforts at VA always have human involvement, official says
“We do not currently have any plans that I'm aware of to use AI as a treatment device instead of providers,” Evan Carey, acting director of VA’s National Artificial Intelligence Institute, told lawmakers.
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In-home clinical uses of immersive tech will raise data privacy questions, VA official says
VA has over 40 use cases of augmented reality and virtual reality tools for patients and department staff.
Psychology experts call for AI age controls and chatbot tailoring
Experts testified before Congress about their concerns with artificial intelligence’s presence in mental health practices, particularly among adolescents and children.
Report: Veteran suicide prevention increasingly looks to use AI, digital capabilities
A report published by the RAND Corporation found that 17% of active veteran suicide prevention programs are already using AI, with 37% of proposed programs planning to do so.
HHS pause on external comms delaying upcoming health summits
Two planned events have been indefinitely postponed as a result of the Trump administration’s freeze on HHS-related mass communications and public appearances.
HHS AI plan looks to the private sector for collaboration
Public engagement and collaborative partnerships with the private sector “throughout the innovation pipeline” can help ensure that AI tools are being equitably used and deployed, HHS said in its AI strategic plan.
VA proposes funding telehealth access points at non-VA facilities
The VA is looking to expand access to virtual healthcare consults by funding the creation of such access points at non-VA facilities in rural or medically underserved areas.
Lawmakers look to extend COVID-19 telehealth med exemption for veterans
A bipartisan House bill would allow VA clinicians to prescribe veterans with controlled medications through the targeted extension of a pandemic-era waiver.
Lawmakers look to clarify electronic medical device use in secure facilities
A Senate bill would charge an “Electronic Medical Device Governance Board” with reviewing agencies’ policies regarding the use of digital healthcare instruments in highly-classified facilities.
