WASHINGTON, June 28 -- A coalition of over 100 healthcare leaders has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services advocating for a more person-centered healthcare system. The group, assembled under the initiative F|42, emphasizes that individual needs must drive healthcare solutions, rather than the fragmented and often impersonal systems currently in place. "We believe that person-centeredness can drive better human, clinical and financial performance in healthcare," said the letter submitted by F|42. T more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Ainsley Advisory Group, a physician-led healthcare AI strategy firm based in D.C., has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding its recent Request for Information on the Health Technology Ecosystem (CMS-0042-NC). AAG, which comprises a team of 20 senior healthcare consultants with over 200 years of combined experience, focuses on developing go-to-market strategies and implementing AI solutions in the healthcare sector. In the letter, AAG expresses appreciation for CM more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Accenture Federal Services LLC, in collaboration with 1HealthSciences and Health Level Seven (HL7), has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detailing recommendations for the advancement of digital health technologies across the federal landscape. This response to the Request for Information aims to support the operationalization of a health technology ecosystem that prioritizes patient-centered care. Joan B. Horenstein, managing director and CMS account lead at AFS, express more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Ad Hoc LLC has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlining strategies to significantly enhance developer engagement in building digital health products for Medicare beneficiaries. The company's recommendations aim to expand upon the successes of the Blue Button 2.0 program by advocating for a more comprehensive API platform, drawing inspiration from the Department of Veterans Affairs Lighthouse model. In their letter, Ad Hoc emphasized that the developer community is eager  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Ascension has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to their recent request for information regarding the Health Technology Ecosystem. The letter outlines key recommendations to advance the adoption of technology that supports efficient health data exchange and enhances patient engagement. Mark L. Hayes, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at Ascension, stated, "Ascension supports the agency's efforts to empower patients by promoting the effective and more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Better Medicare Alliance has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services responding to the agency's Request for Information regarding the Medicare Health Technology Ecosystem. The letter expresses the coalition's commitment to maintaining Medicare Advantage as a comprehensive and cost-effective choice for older adults and individuals with disabilities enrolled in the program. In the letter, President and CEO Mary Beth Donahue stated, "We appreciate CMS' efforts to engage partners more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Boston, Massachusetts, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services emphasizing the urgent need to incorporate dental data into national health technology initiatives. The letter outlines the necessity for improved interoperability and data sharing, asserting that oral health is an integral part of overall health. Rebekah Mathews, vice president of health transformation at CareQuest Institute, stated, "Oral health is critical to achieving C more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, Perth, called on the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security to strengthen bilateral ties to secure critical minerals supply chains. In a letter responding to the investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (XRIN 0694-XC124), the organization emphasized Western Australia's role as a reliable supplier of minerals like lithium, nickel and rare earths, vital for U.S. manufacturing and national security. Western Australia, home to over half  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Government of the People's Republic of China has voiced its strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security's Section 232 investigation into imported processed critical minerals and derivative products. In comments submitted to the Department, China asserted that the investigation, launched on national security grounds, contravenes World Trade Organization rules and is a form of protectionism. China noted a pattern of the U.S. expanding the concept of "national security" since 201 more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- CareEvolution LLC, a health IT vendor, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing the agency's Request for Information (RFI) on the Health Technology Ecosystem. The letter outlines critical insights from CareEvolution's extensive experience in data interoperability and health information exchange, emphasizing the need for a more connected healthcare system. In the letter, CareEvolution expresses appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the discussion.  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Robert J. Margolis, MD Institute for Health Policy at Duke University has provided a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the Request for Information on the Health Technology Ecosystem (CMS-2025-0050-0031). The Duke-Margolis Institute aims to deliver evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries and the larger health care infrastructure. The letter was co-written by Wenbo Bai, Senior Policy Analyst, Health Care Transformation; In more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Findhelp, a public benefit corporation based in Austin, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) regarding the health technology ecosystem. The letter, addressed to Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy Dr. Thomas Keane, highlights the importance of integrating social care data with clinical care to enhance patient outcomes. Carla Nelson, senior director of healthcare and public policy a more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Federal Trade Commission faces a call to confront anti-competitive regulations within Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, as detailed in a public comment letter from Authors Alliance and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. These triennial rules, set by the Library of Congress, are criticized for curbing innovation and consumer rights by limiting fair use through technological protection measures. Section 1201 bans bypassing software locks on copyrighted works, often blocking lawful activities like more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The International Platinum Group Metals Association has strongly recommended that the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security exclude platinum group metals and their derivative products from any trade-restrictive measures under Section 232, including tariffs or quotas. The association asserts that platinum group metals are a national security asset, not a liability. Platinum group metals, which include platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium, are vital for U.S. defense, automotive more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Christina Bethell, PhD, MBA, MPH, from the Johns Hopkins University, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services highlighting the urgent need to enhance the digital health ecosystem to improve health outcomes for individuals across the nation. In her letter, Bethell emphasizes the potential for significant advancements through two primary opportunities. "First, we can actively engage patients and families using their personal data to create meaningful connections and improve out more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- JSL Health Capital, a healthcare technology venture capital investor, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services highlighting ongoing challenges within the healthcare technology ecosystem that significantly hinder meaningful continuity of care for Medicare beneficiaries and other patients. The firm's letter emphasizes the critical need for improved interoperability among digital health tools. "While significant progress has been made in establishing technical standards and API r more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Korea Battery Industry Association has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security regarding its investigation into the national security effects of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products. The Korea Battery Industry Association emphasized the substantial investments made by Korean firms in the U.S. battery sector and urged for tariff exemptions on imports from Korea to support U.S. national security and supply chain resilience. Leading Korean bat more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 (TNSpcl) -- The National Association for the Education of Young Children sent a public comment letter (Docket ED-2025-OPE-0016) to the U.S. Department of Education advocating for crucial changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The organization, with approximately 55,000 members including early childhood educators and advocates, is calling for all early childhood educators working in licensed, regulated and registered settings - including for-profit and non-profit settings, and family child care - to be eligib more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The National Foreign Trade Council has provided input to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security regarding its investigation into the effects on national security of imports of processed critical minerals and derivative products. The council supports efforts to bolster U.S. technology and manufacturing but called for a "do no harm" approach to any measures adopted. Critical minerals, encompassing over 50 elements, are raw materials vital for numerous products, from semiconductors to batteries. Man more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The 911 Ambulance Provider's Medi-Cal Alliance has urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate California's Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Transport Intergovernmental Transfer Program. The Alliance, representing private ambulance companies, contends the program creates anticompetitive practices and distorts emergency medical services markets. John Surface, President of the Alliance, highlighted a payment disparity. Public providers receive over $1,000 per Medi-Cal transport, increasing to nearly $1,600. P more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- A public comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Education highlights the need for targeted support for rural education. The letter, authored by Jeff Walker, executive director of Partners for Rural Impact - East Texas, emphasizes the unique challenges faced by students in rural areas and calls for priority initiatives that address these needs. "Schools in rural communities face greater educational challenges compared to their urban counterparts," Walker states in the letter. He underscores the alarming statis more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Citizens' Council for Health Freedom has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging federal health authorities to prioritize patient privacy in the evolving landscape of digital health technologies. CCHF, a national non-profit organization focused on protecting patient and doctor freedoms, emphasizes the importance of informed consent and the protection of health information. Twila Brase, RN, PHN, co-founder and president of CCHF, expressed concerns regarding the potentia more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Next Level Health Innovations, a provider of clinical informatics and federal program management expertise, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to a Request for Information aimed at enhancing the health technology ecosystem. The organization emphasizes its commitment to improving health outcomes through innovative policies, research, and data analytic solutions. Llew Brown, founder and CEO of Next Level Health, expressed, "We strive to be the trusted partner f more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Sequoia Project, Vienna, Virginia, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sharing insights on the agency's Request for Information regarding the Health Technology Ecosystem. The nonprofit organization emphasizes the necessity for improvements in interoperability to advance health information exchange. Mariann Yeager, CEO of The Sequoia Project, stated, "With a longstanding history of enabling nationwide interoperability, we work with stakeholders from across healthcare and h more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Scaffidi Restaurant Group, a family-owned hospitality business based in Steubenville, Ohio, has submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission urging the agency to preserve current content moderation laws. CEO Frankie DiCarlantonio emphasized how changes could unintentionally harm small businesses that rely on online platforms for advertising and customer engagement. The Commission is reviewing public input on technology platform censorship. Online advertising plays a critical role for Scaffidi, allowing them to re more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Stellar Health Group Inc. and Stellar Health ACO LLC have submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressing a Request for Information on the Health Technology Ecosystem. The letter emphasizes the importance of utilizing technology to enhance value-based care in the healthcare system. In the letter, CEO Michael C. Meng stated: "Stellar Health is a health care technology company committed to improving value-based care by optimizing patient care, enhancing operational efficiency,  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Telecommunications Industry Association has cautioned the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security, against imposing duties on processed critical minerals and their derivative products. The association argued that such tariffs would raise manufacturing costs in the U.S. and negatively impact the information and communications technology sector. The association stated that its members are not directly involved in mineral extraction but rely on downstream components for finished information and commu more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Terros Health, Phoenix, Arizona, submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, emphasizing critical barriers faced by patients and caregivers in accessing digital health tools. The letter outlines recommendations on improving digital health products to better support Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. "In our experience, patients and caregivers often struggle to navigate digital health tools and access consolidated health information," stated Saffron Carew, Chief Information more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- The Competitive Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit advocating for limited government, has called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to rescind the Biden administration's 2021 repeal of the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part 1 (SAFE 1) and restore its preemption of state fuel economy regulations. In comments submitted to the department, the institute argues that the repeal undermines federal law and threatens the affordability of vehicles for American consumers. The institute's submission responds to  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Velox Health Metadata Inc., Pacific Palisades, California, has submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to a Request for Information regarding the Health Technology Ecosystem. In the letter, Velox emphasized its commitment to enhancing interoperability through Clinical Data Exchange, supported by extensive experience in the health technology sector. According to Velox's letter, "Our founding team has been working towards making interoperability as seamless and fast as  more ST

WASHINGTON, June 28 -- Xealth Inc. submitted a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging the agency to enhance the integration of digital health tools within clinical workflows. Xealth argues that improved accessibility and usability of these tools can significantly benefit Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers. In the letter, Mike McSherry, CEO and CoFounder of Xealth, expressed the organization's keen interest in sharing insights and experiences gathered from partnerships with over two dozen health systems. more ST