May 2025

NEWSLETTER

FROM THE BOARD

This month’s insights are recommended by Cindy Carson, MD HIMSS Board of Directors, Director of Partnerships for WebMD Ignite, and consulting advocate, working to digitally elevate the delivery of care through transformative approaches and technologies.

Thriving through Innovation

Global HIMSS provides a rich archive of resources and articles for members to use. Each month, the organization dives deep into core topics affecting our industry. Our very own Frederick Health was featured last month with their case study on streamlined genetic test ordering and the impact of storing genetic data within Electronic Health Records. Genetic data is stored alongside other patient data, providing a holistic view for clinicians. Among one of the very first organizations enabling physicians to order, result, and display discrete genetic test data, with interpretation and guidance, within a patient EHR record, Frederick Health applies genetic medicine across physician specialties, right within their EHR workflows. This enables more personalized care and better population level care decisions. Moreover the integrated pharmacogenomic decision support, including drug-gene conflict checks, drives patient safety, experience and outcomes.

A collaboration of the hospital’s precision medicine program and IT department studied the efficiency gains of this workflow:

Results

A 25-minute time savings for every genetic test ordered.
A 50% reduction in the number of steps in the genetic test results process.
A 500% increase in patient volumes in the precision medicine program.

A big congratulations to Frederick Health. We are fortunate to have Jackie Rice, Frederick Health VP & CIO, on our Maryland HIMSS Board of Directors. Read the case study here.

Maryland Health Bill Update - Bills that Passed In Both Chambers - view the report on the Maryland HIMSS Advocacy page.

AHEAD Model Take Aways: Understanding the AHEAD Model & Maryland Provider Impacts featuring presenter Tequila Terry, Senior Vice President, Care Transformation & Finance for the Maryland Hospital Association, was well attended by over 180 participants. The informative virtual presentation opened a lively discussion amongst attendees.

Ms. Terry covered the latest update on CMS’ All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development Model. As the first state to participate in the model, work is set to begin in Maryland this summer to create the framework for the statewide accountability targets. Focusing on total cost of care growth, primary care investment, and population health outcomes through the state agreements with CMS, you are encouraged to stay involved with AHEAD model planning through these organizations:

MDH: https://health.maryland.gov/Pages/Home.aspx

HSCRC: https://hscrc.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

MHCC: https://mhcc.maryland.gov/mhcc/default.aspx

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY GLOBAL HIMSS - GET INVOLVED!

Help Improve Maternal Health Outcomes Through Digital Health - Support S. 1413

Urge Your Senators to Support the Bipartisan Connected MOM Act

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations at 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births- more than double that of peer countries. Each year around 700 women die due to pregnancy related complications, and countless others face serious injury and illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 80% of these deaths could be prevented. We need your help to tell Congress the time to act is now.

Studies have consistently shown the clinical benefits of technology in supporting pregnant women and their maternal health care teams to prevent such tragedies.

The bipartisan Connected MOM Act (S. 141) would promote the adoption of remote monitoring devices to detect irregularities in blood pressure, blood glucose, and pulse rates — key indicators of potential pregnancy complications.

Urge your Senators to cosponsor this critical piece legislation and tell Congress to pass the Connected MOM Act.

CMS RELEASED THEIR 2026 IPPS PROPOSED RULE

On April 11, 2025, CMS released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule, which includes a 2.4% update for hospital payments. This increase reflects a 3.2% hospital market basket increase, offset by a 0.8% productivity adjustment. The agency is also seeking input on streamlining Medicare regulations and reducing provider burden.

To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided in the ADDRESSES section, no later than 5 p.m. EDT on June 10, 2025.

There are changes to several quality reporting and value-based care programs. Global HIMSS has assembled a HIMSS response workgroup to prepare a response. Reach out to Global HIMSS if you are interested in participating.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Won’t you join us and make YOUR voice heard? Please consider signing on behalf of your Organization and/or HIMSS Chapter! We continue our efforts to increase support for the MATCH IT Act which amends the Public Health Service Act to establish standards and protocols to improve patient matching. Join us in signing the letter urging Congress to reject the inclusion of Section 510 in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations bill that prohibits the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from spending any federal dollars to promulgate or adopt a national unique patient health identifier standard.

MD Health+Tech '25 Conference and

Annual Golf Tournament!

See You There!

A sold-out golf event on Monday, May 19th will be followed by a dynamic conference on Tuesday, May 20th, with more than 250 registrants gathering for a full day of educational sessions and networking to close out our year of activities.

Support Healthcare for the Homeless Onsite

Healthcare for the Homeless will be onsite both days collecting monetary donations and items from their wish list.

Street Survival Kits

Collection baskets will be available for Street Survival Kit items and bags. Help neighbors in need by donating kits that make life on the streets more manageable. Please place some or all of the following items in a drawstring bag, backpack, or gallon-size resealable plastic bag:

New socks
Rain poncho
Reusable water bottle
Energy bars, trail mix, or dried fruit
$5 gift card to Subway, Dunkin’ or McDonald’s
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Bar soap in a durable plastic bag
Body lotion
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Comb
Menstrual hygiene products
Neutral-scented deodorant
In winter: hat, gloves, scarf, hand warmers
A personal note — it means a lot!

DEVELOPMENT

Did you know that Organizational Affiliate members have special HIMSS resources? Each month HIMSS shares a dedicated OA newsletter to be shared with internal OA teams. Helpful links for claiming CEU credits; links to recorded educational sessions; resources for Cybersecurity and AI; and governance-related briefings are some of what was included in the March OA newsletter.

Learn more about becoming an OA organization - the benefits are excellent.

If your company is already an OA organization - be sure to take advantage of your eligible chapter registration and be a part of the HIMSS communications just for OAs.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS

Your voice matters! Please complete the Maryland HIMSS Membership Survey. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help us improve the services and programs we offer, ensuring that Maryland HIMSS remains a vibrant and effective resource for healthcare IT professionals like you.

Why Should You Complete the Survey?

Influence future events, resources and initiatives
Ensure your needs and interests are represented
Help shape the direction of HIMSS in Maryland

Survey

BOARD ELECTIONS

The 2025-2026 Board Members Elect will be announced on May 20th at the Annual Conference!

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer for one of our committees!

SPONSORSHIPS

Sponsorships offer a promotional opportunity to teach and learn, establish new contacts and partnerships, and showcase your company’s products and services to Health IT professionals, clinical informaticists, and leaders from health organizations across Maryland. Become a sponsor today!

MDHIMSS | www.maryland.himss.org