NAPH Discusses HIT with HHS Officials

In the midst of a flurry of health reform activity in Washington, NAPH leadership met with senior HHS officials— including Dr. Howard Koh (Assistant Secretary for Health) and Neera Tanden and Caya Lewis of the HHS Office of Health Reform—to discuss health reform issues and to highlight the safety net health systems’ innovative health information technology (HIT) efforts. HHS officials were particularly interested in learning about the impact that Massachusetts’ health reform efforts have had on safety net health systems and signaled their desire to work closely with NAPH to preserve funding for the safety net. The meeting also focused on safety net health system HIT innovations. NAPH Chair Lisa Harris highlighted Wishard Health Services’ significant HIT achievements—including, in particular, the tremendous cost savings Wishard has achieved through its HIT efforts.

Pictured from left to right: Larry Gage (President, NAPH); Chris Burch (Executive Director, NAPH); Dr. Howard Koh (Assistant Secretary of Health, HHS); Dr. Lisa E. Harris (CEO and Medical Director, Wishard Health Services); and Lynne Fagnani (Senior Vice President, NAPH)

Photo Credit: Chris Smith, HHS Photography