Health Tech
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.
AI can enhance health care and enable cost savings, lawmaker says
Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., said lawmakers “have to build the infrastructure” around the use of AI in wearable medical devices.
Online health services, apps to face new data security rule enforcement in July
The FTC rules are meant to incentivize digital health providers to shore up their security postures and increase transparency in the event of a data breach.
VA is already using AI to identify and assist veterans in crisis, officials say
The use of AI capabilities to review the agency’s surveys to veterans has helped save a couple thousand lives and helped another couple thousand retired servicemembers receive housing, according to VA’s chief veterans experience officer.
FDA and CISA need to update cyber agreement for medical devices, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office said medical devices are not commonly hacked but still called them “a source of cybersecurity concern warranting significant attention.”
CISA and HHS look to help the health sector ramp up cyber hygiene
Agency resources are intended to address the longstanding challenges health systems and hospitals have faced from increasingly advanced cyberattacks.
FDA forms new committee to advise on health tech
The FDA is taking nominations for the Digital Health Advisory Committee, which is expected to begin work next year.
Can AI boost health care delivery?
Rep. Ted Lieu thinks so, with the right oversight by humans — and government.
FTC, HHS warn of potential privacy and security risks embedded in online health sites
The agencies noted hospitals and telehealth providers could be exposing sensitive patient health information through online tracking tools like Meta Pixel and Google Analytics.
FDA Announces Contract for Automation in Drug Performance Analyses
The Food and Drug Administration is asking for proposals for automated devices that can provide high-definition imaging and critical analyses of drug performance as the agency works to integrate more AI.
FDA Wants to use AI to Assess Pharmaceuticals
The agency is looking for a small business to provide the service to help examine freeze-dried pharmaceuticals and complex generic drug products.
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CDC Seeks Digital Health App for Its Employees
The mobile application should provide meditation and mindfulness activities to help employees manage stress.
Video Game Technology Tapped to Medically Train Astronauts for Future Moon and Mars Missions
Ultimately, lives might depend on the quality of that training.
FDA Set to Issue Final Rule Classifying VR Therapy Device for Pain Relief
The FDA said the class II designation for AppliedVR’s virtual reality medical device for the treatment of chronic lower back pain will “enhance patients’ access to beneficial innovation.”
Nanomedicines for Various Diseases are in Development–But Research Facilities Produce Vastly Inconsistent Results on How the Body Will React to Them
The field still faces one major roadblock.
Lawmakers Explore 'More Permanent Direction' for Telehealth Under Medicare
Many of Medicare’s telehealth provisions were tied to emergency pandemic measures, which will come to an end.
Adoption of AI in Health Care Relies on Building Trust, DOD, VA Officials Say
Wider use of health-related artificial intelligence applications at the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense depends on technologies being “sufficiently understandable.”
NIST to Launch New Guidance on Security Risks of Telehealth and Smart Home Integration
The agency notes that “user experience” improvements may come with less control over privacy and security.
Over 20,000 Veterans Received VHA iPads but Never Used Them for Virtual Care
An inspector general review found that the agency was also slow to get devices back so they could be redistributed.
