In this episode of The Dish on Health IT, Tony Schueth, CEO of Point-of-Care Partners, and Kim Boyd, Regulatory Resource Center Lead, are joined by Pam Schweitzer, former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States and current Chair of the NCPDP Foundation Board of Trustees. Together, they deliver an in-depth discussion on critical topics impacting the health IT landscape, including interoperability, public health data modernization, and evolving healthcare regulations.

The episode begins with introductions from Tony and Kim, highlighting Pam’s extensive career in healthcare, ranging from her leadership roles in the Indian Health Service and the Veterans Affairs (VA) system to her current position as chair of the NCPDP Foundation. Pam reflects on her experience overseeing the transition from paper to electronic health records and how this complex shift required the coordination of multiple healthcare departments, including radiology and labs.

Pam shares her insights into how policy changes, such as CMS 0057 and the HTI-2 proposed rule, are shaping the future of healthcare interoperability. The trio discusses how these regulations, aimed at improving data sharing between payers, providers, and public health systems, will ultimately drive real-time data exchange. They also emphasize the importance of infrastructure, standards, and innovation to support these efforts.

As the discussion moves forward, Pam talks about her work on public health initiatives, particularly around pharmacy interoperability, maternal health, and the broader impacts of nutrition and food supply on community health. Kim and Pam also explore the evolving role of pharmacists in public health, especially in rural areas where they often serve as the primary healthcare providers.

The conversation includes key steps for modernizing public health data systems, such as addressing the data silos between healthcare and public health systems. Pam emphasizes the need for greater collaboration and data sharing to enable a more effective public health response, especially during crises like pandemics or natural disasters.

Pam, Kim, and Tony also touch on the role of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) in promoting data fluidity and expanding the integration of pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders into the broader healthcare ecosystem.

The episode wraps up with Pam expressing her optimism for the future of health IT and public health interoperability, while stressing the importance of ongoing collaboration between stakeholders, from policymakers to healthcare technology vendors. Kim adds that the evolution of pharmacy practice and regulatory changes are driving significant improvements in patient care and medication management.

Listeners can tune in for a deep dive into the intersections of health IT policy, pharmacy standards, and public health modernization, with practical insights from leaders in the field. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in healthcare interoperability, the impact of CMS and ONC policies, and the future of public health and pharmacy integration.

Catch the full episode on your preferred podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Healthcare Now Radio, or watch the video version on YouTube.

Other resources you may be interested in:

• Healthy People 2030 – Data and Information Systems
  https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/public-health-infrastructure
• Public Health Infrastructure - Healthy People 2030 | health.gov
  https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/public-health-infrastructure
• Strategies for Public Health Interoperability | PHDI | CDC
  https://www.cdc.gov/data-interoperability/php/public-health-strategy/index.html
• March 27, 2024 – Draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
  https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/page/2024-03/Draft_2024-2030_Federal_Health_IT_Strategic_%20Plan.pdf
• 2023 – Infrastructure for Scaling and Spreading Whole Health – Health Informatics
  https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/transforming-health-care-to-create-whole-health-strategies-to-assess-scale-and-spread-the-whole-person-approach-to-health