Hello, Informatics Community! I wanted to let you know that APHL submitted comments in response to a CMS proposed rule. This rule, our comments, and APHL's other informatics policy-related work is summarized on the Policy Engagement Confluence page, which should be accessible to anyone that is part of this ColLABorate space.
The CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) Proposed Rule seeks comments on the transition from yes/no reporting for eligible hospitals to performance-based metrics for public health reporting. The Rule also contained an embedded RFI that asked questions about FHIR-based APIs for public health. Comments were due 6/10. Here is a link to the rule: govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-04-30/pdf/2025-06271.pdf
APHL submitted feedback which echoed JPHIT's key points that public must be involved in any decision-making process to develop performance-based metrics, and that public health requires investment and funding in order to support new metrics and new technologies (such as FHIR APIs). APHL also urged CMS to leverage and expand existing platforms and solutions, such as AIMS, where appropriate to support the data exchange between hospitals and public health.
The APHL and JPHIT response letters are available through the Federal Register portal and on the Policy Engagement Confluence page.
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Melanie Kourbage
Lead Specialist, Informatics
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Bethesda MD
(240) 485-2747
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