MACRA

At HIMSS17, clinicians get a primer on details of two of the more IT-focused components.

The countdown to HISS17 continues.

The health IT industry is diligently working to understand and address the evolution of the healthcare consumer. But it is still a reactive response, rather than the proactive and strategic approach that's needed.

Here are some of the most popular stories of the past year – and a few that were emblematic of the momentous trends that shaped healthcare information technology in 2016.

The former HHS Secretary says, "pretending the law never happened is not an option," but that parts of the Affordable Care Act will be repealed, including the individual mandate.

A look inside some of the most ambitious initiatives happening at Healthcare IT News' 2016 Best Hospital IT Departments, which are cultivating a bold new era of care delivery by homing in on the patient experience.

John Halamka, MD, served the Bush administration for four years and the Obama administration for six. Change in Washington happens incrementally, he says: There is always an evolution, not a revolution, regardless of speechmaking hyperbole.

There's a lot up in the air for healthcare policy following Donald Trump's surprising win. But a complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act won't be possible – at least not initially, say two HIMSS policy experts.

Survey responses range from massive disruption to more competitive markets. Hospital leaders are hoping that prices go down but alternative payment models MACRA, MIPS and the Medicare Shared Savings Program remain. 

The final rule also drops clinical decision support and computerized order entry objectives and measures.