Dr. Michael Zaroukian, chair of HIMSS North America board of directors, gave some physician insight on interoperability. He agreed that health information technology and cognitive computing – a major theme at this conference this year — are valuable resources. But in the end, it is doctors who have to make the system work.

“I have mixed feelings about interoperability,” he said. “We have to do more to make systems a better experience for physicians.”


He said that health care systems that have made big investments in population health management stand to lose tens of millions of dollars if any replacement for the Affordable Care Act is not handled properly.

“Payment for value will be critical and key,” he predicted.

The ACA replacement was the topic of lively questions from the group of reporters in the audience for Tom Leary, MALA, CAE, vice president, Government Affairs at HIMSS. Leary was careful in response, but did not sound pessimistic about the outlook.

“We continue to build relationships with the new administration," said Leary. “We are confident that IT will be part of the foundational fabric of any change in resulting legislation.” He added that HIMSS has good support with senior senators in both parties.

He also noted that health IT also continues to be received well on a bipartisan level in state houses across the country. Leary explained that HIMSS is working to promote interoperability, innovative solutions, securing data and networks from cyber attacks, and promoting telehealth with politicians.

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