Pandemic Preparedness: HIMSS and PCHAlliance Submit Recommendations to Senate HELP Committee

On June 26, HIMSS and PCHAlliance submitted a letter in response to Preparing for the Next Pandemic, a white paper by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the U.S. Senate HELP Committee.

The white paper examined lessons learned from the past 20 years of public health preparedness and response and outlined recommendations to prepare for future public health emergencies.

HIMSS and PCHAlliance applaud the committee’s foresight in asking tough questions and its willingness to engage in a public dialogue on possible changes and best practices that can be incorporated into public health and healthcare preparedness plans.

HIMSS and PCHAlliance made recommendations on the following key areas:

• Modernizing disease surveillance and leveraging existing interoperability standards to track infectious disease in a timely fashion
• Ensuring the gains made in connected care, including telehealth, continue beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Leveraging supply chain solutions to improve clinical care
• Addressing health disparities through data reporting on patient demographics and expanded broadband deployment to enable telehealth
• Balancing HIPAA privacy practices with the needs of our current technology landscape
• Expanding public health capabilities through public-private partnerships
• Ensuring coordination across federal government agencies

See also: Preparing for the Next Public Health Emergency Response Letter

HIMSS looks forward to engaging with the Senate HELP Committee on developing legislation to prepare for the next pandemic. Stay informed on HIMSS public policy actions and direct any questions to policy@himss.org.