Digital Government

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.

Digital Government

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.

People

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.

Artificial Intelligence

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.

Cybersecurity

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.

Artificial Intelligence

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.

Cybersecurity

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.”

Cybersecurity

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.

Emerging Tech

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.

Artificial Intelligence

Can AI boost health care delivery?

Rep. Ted Lieu thinks so, with the right oversight by humans — and government.

Cybersecurity

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.

Artificial Intelligence

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.

Artificial Intelligence

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.

Digital Government

CDC Seeks Digital Health App for Its Employees

The mobile application should provide meditation and mindfulness activities to help employees manage stress.

Emerging Tech

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.”

Policy

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.

Artificial Intelligence

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.”

Cybersecurity

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.