Health IT: In Depth - Open Source and Interoperable Data in Federal and Private Sectors

Original Broadcast November 19, 2024

Presented by eVisit

Featuring:

• Andrea Fletcher, Chief Digital Strategy Officer and Director of the Digital Service, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Sachin Agrawal, CEO, eVisit 

Andrea Fletcher and Sachin Agrawal, share how open-source software and interoperable data systems are transforming the federal health IT landscape. Fletcher highlights CMS’s commitment to transparency and security through open-source code, which enables collaborative, efficient, and more secure software development. This approach has led CMS to open-source APIs like Blue Button 2.0, which grants equal access to Medicare data across private and public sectors, creating a collaborative health ecosystem. Agrawal emphasizes that true healthcare transformation hinges on data interoperability, which facilitates seamless care across the healthcare continuum and supports a more efficient digital infrastructure. Both speakers agreed that open-source platforms and transparency are essential for AI advancement within healthcare, as they help build public trust and ensure models reflect diverse healthcare needs. Additionally, Fletcher shares the role of programs like CMS’s bug bounties and vulnerability disclosure efforts with CISA as proactive cybersecurity measures. By engaging with the tech community, CMS aims to maintain the highest levels of security and adaptability across its digital services. Agrawal further notes that these shifts in software and data approaches are critical to addressing provider shortages and healthcare access issues, ensuring that both patients and providers benefit from a responsive, digitally-first system.

Key Takeaways:

1. Open Source in Health IT: Open-source technologies are enhancing flexibility and innovation in healthcare IT by allowing organizations to develop customizable solutions that improve data accessibility and integration.
   
   
2. Data Interoperability: Interoperable data solutions are critical for seamless data exchange across federal and private sectors, leading to more cohesive and effective patient care systems.
   
   
3. Collaboration in Health IT: Collaborative efforts between federal and private healthcare sectors are advancing the adoption of secure, open-source solutions that enhance data sharing while ensuring compliance and data security.