The past four months have seen significant changes in healthcare and health IT policies since President Donald Trump began his second term. Key developments include:
- Staff reductions in the U.S. Department of Human Services.
- New insights into the potential shape of AI regulation.
- Continued, though not permanent, telehealth flexibilities from the pandemic.
These shifts have led to confusion and uncertainty among healthcare professionals and technology developers regarding future guidance and regulations for health IT.
In a recent discussion, we spoke with Aaron Maguregui, a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, who advises healthcare and technology companies on regulatory and compliance issues. He also co-chairs the American Telemedicine Association’s Health Data Work Group Privacy Committee. We explored the implications of the new administration’s early actions on policy and what they might indicate for the future.
Key Discussion Points:
- Impact of Trump’s first 100 days on healthcare and health IT.
- Reasons behind Trump’s decision to rescind Biden’s executive order on AI and introduce his own.
- Future of the HHS-specific AI Strategic Plan developed before Trump’s inauguration.
- Potential evolution of AI innovation and regulation in the coming years.
- Impact of regulatory uncertainty on investments and innovation in AI.
- Future policies regarding telehealth and virtual care.
- Strategies healthcare IT developers should adopt moving forward.
Additional Resources:
- What to expect in health IT policy in the coming months
- Healthcare leaders’ insights on data policy
- HHS plans to cut 20K jobs in a major restructure
- Senators seek explanations for HHS layoffs
- Concerns over IT staff reductions at HHS
- Will telemedicine progress without regulatory reform?
- The need for guardrails in AI development
- Congress’s AI policy blueprint
- Concerns over DEA’s draft telehealth regulations
- Congress grants a 6-month reprieve for Medicare telehealth
- Future of telehealth flexibilities discussed by experts
- Trump’s nominee for CDC leadership has a health IT background