CHIME Spring Briefing: Healthcare Policy Updates
- Cassie Ballard, director of congressional affairs, and Chelsea Arnone, director of federal affairs at CHIME, recently detailed key legislative priorities for healthcare IT leaders.
- In a politically charged surroundings, healthcare IT executives are closely monitoring developments in Washington, D.C.
- ballard described the pending budget reconciliation process as a major legislative event.
Healthcare IT leaders, stay informed! In a recent “Policy & Politics” webinar, CHIME insiders, Cassie Ballard and Chelsea Arnone, revealed critical legislative priorities. Budget cuts and changes to Medicaid funding are looming, with potential impacts from budget reconciliation. Experts are also closely watching telehealth policy, and the reauthorization of cybersecurity data-sharing laws. The expiration of telehealth flexibilities and the push for standardized patient match rates are also key. CHIME is advocating for rescission of HIPAA Security Rule revisions and also the removal of Section 510. Stay ahead of the curve with these updates, as CMS proposes changes to the Promoting Interoperability Program. For more on these developments,turn to News Directory 3 for expert analysis.Discover what’s next for healthcare IT.
CHIME Highlights Healthcare IT Legislative Priorities
Updated May 01, 2025
Cassie Ballard, director of congressional affairs, and Chelsea Arnone, director of federal affairs at CHIME, recently detailed key legislative priorities for healthcare IT leaders. The discussion occurred during CHIME’s “Policy & Politics” webinar.
In a politically charged surroundings, healthcare IT executives are closely monitoring developments in Washington, D.C. The policy landscape, encompassing budget talks and patient identification, is rapidly evolving, impacting hospitals’ digital infrastructure management.
ballard described the pending budget reconciliation process as a major legislative event. The package could cut $880 billion from programs under the House energy and Commerce Committee.
“There are a lot of folks on this call who care about Medicaid,” Ballard said, noting the uncertainty surrounding potential cuts and controversial policy proposals like Medicaid work requirements.
The House aims to pass its version by Memorial Day, with Senate action expected in June. Ballard anticipates minimal Democratic support, requiring Republican unity.
The looming “X date,” when the federal government’s borrowing authority expires, adds further urgency. “The X date is the real deadline for the reconciliation package,” Ballard explained.
Beyond budget matters, CHIME is tracking cybersecurity and telehealth policies. Ballard emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the 2015 cybersecurity information-sharing bill to facilitate cyber threat sharing between industry and government.
Ballard also noted the impending expiration of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities. “CHIME supports telehealth permanency,” she said, acknowledging the likelihood of short-term extensions instead of a permanent solution.
Arnone said CHIME is advocating for rescission of the proposed HIPAA Security Rule revisions issued during the final days of the Biden governance. “We and other provider stakeholders have continually requested recession,” she said.
CHIME is also supporting the reintroduced MATCH IT act, which aims to standardize the definition of patient match rates. “Right now, there isn’t a consistent definition across the industry,” Ballard explained.
CHIME is urging the removal of Section 510 from the annual appropriations bill, which prohibits HHS from establishing a unique patient identifier. “This provision has been in place as 1999,” Ballard said.
Arnone highlighted proposed changes to the Promoting Interoperability Program in CMS’s fiscal year 2026 payment rules.”There’s a proposal to require both a security risk analysis and a new security risk management attestation,” she said.
What’s next
CHIME leaders emphasize that proactive engagement from healthcare cios and digital leaders is crucial as policy debates intensify. Ballard said CHIME is looking forward to a more collaborative process.