Introduction to Healthcare and Health IT Under the Trump Administration
It’s been a whirlwind four months on any number of policy fronts since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, and healthcare and health IT are no exceptions. In the first 100-plus days of the Trump Administration, there have been seismic shakeups and significant staff reductions in the U.S. Department of Human Services, some new understandings about what shape AI regulation might take, continued extension (though still not permanent) of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities and many other new developments on the regulatory front.
Recent Developments and Their Impact
There’s been controversy and confusion too, of course, and the big shifts in policy compared to just a few months ago have left some healthcare professionals and technology developers uncertain about what the future might hold with regard to guidance and regulation for health IT. To gain a better understanding of these developments, we spoke recently with Aaron Maguregui, partner at Foley & Lardner LLP. He’s an attorney who advises healthcare and technology companies, as well as providers and payers, on regulatory and compliance issues around cybersecurity, privacy, data governance and more.
Key Talking Points
- Impact of the Trump Administration’s First 100 Days: How the administration’s early actions have impacted healthcare and health IT.
- AI Regulation: Why President Trump immediately rescinded President Biden’s executive order on AI and replaced it with his own, and what that means for the future of AI in healthcare.
- Future of the HHS-specific AI Strategic Plan: What the future may hold for the plan developed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, just before Trump took office.
- Evolution of AI Innovation and Regulation: How AI innovation and regulation might evolve over the next few years, and whether it will keep pace with technology.
- Impact on Investments and Innovation: Whether regulatory uncertainty or confusion over AI could impact investments and innovation in healthcare and health IT.
- Telehealth and Virtual Care Policies: Predicting the future policies around telehealth and virtual care, and how they might affect the healthcare industry.
- Strategy for Healthcare IT Developers: How healthcare IT developers should be shaping their strategies as they look ahead to the changing regulatory landscape.
Recent News and Developments
What to look for with health IT policy in the months ahead, including changes in data policy and the potential for regulatory reform in telehealth. Healthcare leaders are calling for clarity on data policy, and there are concerns about the impact of mass layoffs at HHS on the agency’s ability to manage IT systems. The future of telemedicine is also uncertain, with questions about whether it will stagnate without regulatory reform. There are calls for safe and equitable AI, with guardrails in place to ensure its responsible development and use.
Conclusion
The healthcare and health IT landscape is undergoing significant changes under the Trump Administration. From AI regulation to telehealth policies, understanding these developments is crucial for healthcare professionals, technology developers, and anyone interested in the future of healthcare. As the administration continues to shape its policies, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments and their potential impact on the industry.
FAQs
- Q: What has been the impact of the Trump Administration’s first 100 days on healthcare and health IT?
- A: The administration’s early actions have brought significant changes, including staff reductions at HHS and new approaches to AI regulation.
- Q: How might AI regulation evolve under the Trump Administration?
- A: The administration has replaced previous executive orders with its own, signaling a new direction for AI regulation that could impact healthcare and health IT.
- Q: What does the future hold for telehealth and virtual care?
- A: The future is uncertain, with ongoing debates about regulatory reform and the potential for telemedicine to stagnate without clear guidelines.
- Q: How should healthcare IT developers prepare for the changing regulatory landscape?
- A: Developers should stay informed about the latest developments and consider how changes in AI regulation, data policy, and telehealth might affect their strategies and innovations.
