Healthcare 2024: Decoding the Election’s Impact on Regulations and Advocacy

by Bill Charnetski | January 31, 2024

4 min

The intersection of technology, regulations, and advocacy has always played a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare industry’s trajectory. As we enter the 2024 election year, it’s crucial for healthcare decision-makers to discern the impact these legislative changes have on the sector.

In this blog article, we’ll dive into the regulatory implications of the 2024 election, Health Information Technology (HIT) incentives, technology’s transformative role, and much more. We’ll also explore how PointClickCare is taking a leading role in shaping a sustainable and efficient model for the years ahead.

PointClickCare’s Legislative Partnerships and Advocacy Efforts

At PointClickCare, we aim to influence legislation that’s critical to providing interoperability in acute and post-acute care. Our advocacy revolves around breaking down silos, integrating state-level strategies with federal ones, addressing data privacy requirements, and investing in federal infrastructure to align senior care with acute settings.

By championing real-time data exchange, we’re ensuring that healthcare systems can seamlessly share critical data, fostering better patient care and outcomes across the continuum of care.

Election Year 2024: Regulations and Advocacy Focus

One significant concern in 2024 is the progression of the unfunded staffing mandate proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The incurred cost of $12 billion has already raised alarms, making it important for decision-makers to monitor how both parties address the labor shortage in senior care. This long-term problem demands serious attention. Discussions around HIT incentive funding and the disconnect between costs and reimbursement will be essential.

This year, we believe organizations will fully realize HIT’s potential in helping solve this ongoing staffing crisis. By improving productivity and enabling organizations with funding to invest in solutions for enhanced interoperability, caregivers can perform their jobs more efficiently — ultimately making the clinical workspace a more inviting place for patients and staff.

Evolution of HIT Incentives for Senior Care

Now that 70% of skilled nursing facilities are using PointClickCare’s electronic health records (EHR), we’ve shifted our focus to improving connectivity between patients, families, and caregivers, particularly in the area of value-based care (VBC). We’re developing a formal whitepaper on the role of technology in VBC and HIT incentive funding papers are being drafted for congressional use. By advocating for HIT incentives and enhanced connectivity, we hope to improve patient care outcomes, streamline workflows, and empower caregivers to provide higher-quality care.

Tech’s Role in Better Workflows and Staffing Challenges

Improving interoperability is crucial to reducing manual data input and readmissions. At PointClickCare, we’re continually exploring new ways to help customers overcome workforce challenges.

As technology becomes more widely adopted across the nation, it’s vital for states to follow real-time date sharing standards that align with federal strategies and guidelines. By doing so, HIT investments can have a greater impact on clinical staff and patients in need of high-quality healthcare services.

Balancing Transparency and Regulation

It’s important to have transparency in the healthcare industry, but it needs to be balanced with the risk of unfunded demands. When transparent and regulated practices are properly coordinated and funded, it can lead to a more sustainable and accountable healthcare industry. This, in turn, will result in better outcomes for patients.

At PointClickCare, we recognize the significance SDOH has on care delivery, and we’re in full support of technological solutions that address funding and data platform considerations.

Advocacy efforts are already underway to incorporate SDOH in care delivery and ensure uniform data requirements at the federal and state levels. By advocating for the incorporation of SDOH in care delivery, we aim to address the broader societal factors affecting health, promoting more comprehensive and patient-centric care.

As we navigate through the complexities of healthcare in 2024, PointClickCare remains committed to advancing technology, advocating for sensible regulations, and fostering interoperability. The healthcare industry’s future demands collaborative efforts, and PointClickCare is positioned to lead the way in shaping a sustainable and efficient model for years to come.

January 31, 2024

Our Author

Bill Charnetski

William “Bill” Charnetski is the  Executive Vice President, Health System Solutions and Government Affairs at PointClickCare. Bill is building a “system-wide approach” to grow PointClickCare’s business as a complement to its very successful B2B model. He will also build a high-performing, strategic, and impactful government affairs function for the company in the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to joining PointClickCare, he was the Chief Health Innovation Strategist for the Government of Ontario, Canada. He drove behavioural change in the provincial health system to improve its innovation receptor capabilities and use the government’s massive health investment as an economic driver to scale up Ontario’s health tech companies.

Bill also worked with AstraZeneca plc, one of the world’s largest innovative biopharmaceutical companies, where he led global government affairs and public policy and, in Canada, led integrated health solutions, pricing, market access, reimbursement, communications, strategic stakeholder engagement, and legal affairs. Before that, he was a corporate and privacy law partner at Torys LLP.