[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":47,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"The federal government has \u201can obligation\u201d to fund a major healthcare IT modernization program at the Indian Health Service, and the bill will be high.It could cost $3 billion to replace the agency\u2019s legacy electronic health record system, according to an assessment of researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine, writing in a Health Affairs<\/i> blog<\/a>. IHS, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, currently uses the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), which was developed in close partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to manage its clinical, financial and administrative information.However, according to researchers, \u201cyears of inattention and underfunding have left the RPMS unusable by current technological standards, making it difficult to provide continuous, consistent care.\u201d President Trump\u2019s Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for IHS included an initial $25 million EHR investment to begin transitioning to a replacement for RPMS. However, researchers contend that this seed money is woefully inadequate.\u201cWhile the VA has been appropriated $1.6 billion to fund its transition to the Cerner EHR, the IHS is poised to receive significantly less\u2014a proposed appropriation of $25 million,\u201d observe the researchers. \u201cBecause of the extensive work needed to bring the RPMS up to minimum modern health IT standards, the proposed amount is inadequate to meet the Unites States\u2019 responsibility for providing healthcare to tribal nations.\u201dIn particular, they note that a technical evaluation of RPMS found that\u2014as currently configured\u2014the system will be completely unsupportable in 10 years. \u201cHIT is a crucial part of improving IHS\u2019 ability to deliver quality care to this already marginalized community,\u201d says senior author Theresa Cullen, MD, associate director of the Regenstrief Institute Global Health Informatics Program and an IU School of Medicine faculty member. \u201cThe current system needs extensive improvements, and the proposed federal funding is not sufficient to accomplish this task, which will put the health of Native Americans and Alaska Natives further at risk.\u201dCullen and her colleagues cite a budget estimate from the national Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup which recommended a $3 billion, 10-year HIT modernization investment for IHS. They say the cost estimate is consistent with the VA\u2019s $10 billion EHR modernization over 10 years, given that IHS\u2019 patient population is equal to 27 percent of the VA patient population.\u201cAn adequately sourced health IT program is an essential component to ensuring high-quality and safe care,\u201d the researchers conclude. \u201cTo fulfill its obligations to this marginalized community, the administration must remember this is a start, not a finish.\u201dIn addition, researchers contend that the IHS must leverage the lessons learned from the Department of Defense and VA efforts to establish a single, common Cerner EHR system between the two agencies\u2014lessons which they believe can result in immediate benefit to IHS and its patients.","saveContent":"The federal government has \u201can obligation\u201d to fund a major healthcare IT modernization program at the Indian Health Service, and the bill will be high.It could cost $3 billion to replace the agency\u2019s legacy electronic health record system, according to an assessment of researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine, writing in a Health Affairs<\/i> blog<\/a>. IHS, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, currently uses the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), which was developed in close partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to manage its clinical, financial and administrative information.However, according to researchers, \u201cyears of inattention and underfunding have left the RPMS unusable by current technological standards, making it difficult to provide continuous, consistent care.\u201d President Trump\u2019s Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for IHS included an initial $25 million EHR investment to begin transitioning to a replacement for RPMS. However, researchers contend that this seed money is woefully inadequate.\u201cWhile the VA has been appropriated $1.6 billion to fund its transition to the Cerner EHR, the IHS is poised to receive significantly less\u2014a proposed appropriation of $25 million,\u201d observe the researchers. \u201cBecause of the extensive work needed to bring the RPMS up to minimum modern health IT standards, the proposed amount is inadequate to meet the Unites States\u2019 responsibility for providing healthcare to tribal nations.\u201dIn particular, they note that a technical evaluation of RPMS found that\u2014as currently configured\u2014the system will be completely unsupportable in 10 years. \u201cHIT is a crucial part of improving IHS\u2019 ability to deliver quality care to this already marginalized community,\u201d says senior author Theresa Cullen, MD, associate director of the Regenstrief Institute Global Health Informatics Program and an IU School of Medicine faculty member. \u201cThe current system needs extensive improvements, and the proposed federal funding is not sufficient to accomplish this task, which will put the health of Native Americans and Alaska Natives further at risk.\u201dCullen and her colleagues cite a budget estimate from the national Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup which recommended a $3 billion, 10-year HIT modernization investment for IHS. They say the cost estimate is consistent with the VA\u2019s $10 billion EHR modernization over 10 years, given that IHS\u2019 patient population is equal to 27 percent of the VA patient population.\u201cAn adequately sourced health IT program is an essential component to ensuring high-quality and safe care,\u201d the researchers conclude. \u201cTo fulfill its obligations to this marginalized community, the administration must remember this is a start, not a finish.\u201dIn addition, researchers contend that the IHS must leverage the lessons learned from the Department of Defense and VA efforts to establish a single, common Cerner EHR system between the two agencies\u2014lessons which they believe can result in immediate benefit to IHS and its patients.","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

Researchers: Feds must pay for $3B EHR at Indian Health Service

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