NCUIH Requests IHS Support All Facility Types and Integrate Social Services into the New IHS Electronic Health Record System
On September 6, 2024, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted written comments to the Indian Health Service (IHS) Director, Roselyn Tso, regarding the IHS’ January 18, 2024, Dear Tribal Leader and Urban Indian Organization Leader letter (DTLL/DULL) about the August 8, 2024, joint Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer (TC/UC) session on Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization: Multi-Tenant Domain Considerations. In its comments, NCUIH requested that IHS support all facility types to address inefficiencies during the implementation process and ensure social services are integrated into IHS’ new electronic health record (EHR) system.
Background on IHS HIT Modernization
During the November 8, 2023, TC/UC on HIT Modernization, IHS announced that it selected General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) to build, configure, and maintain a new IHS enterprise EHR system utilizing Oracle Cerner technology. The new EHR, named Patients at the Heart (PATH), will replace the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS).
For more information about HIT Modernization implementation, please click here.
NCUIH’s Requests
In its comments following the TC/UC, NCUIH recommended:
- IHS should increase the value proposition for urban Indian organizations (UIOs) to participate in the PATH EHR:
- Integrate social services into the PATH EHR
- Support the unique interoperability needs of UIOs
- Ensure security of patient health information
- IHS should address the following challenges and risks that UIOs may face when transitioning from their current EHRs to the shared PATH EHR:
- Lack of support for all UIO facility types
- Failure to be included in pilot site and implementation cohort selection
NCUIH Advocacy on HIT Modernization
NCUIH has previously submitted several comments to IHS on HIT Modernization:
- NCUIH Submits Comments to IHS on Health Information Technology Modernization (April 20, 2022)
- NCUIH Submits Comments to IHS on Resource and Patient Management System Replacement and Health Information Technology Modernization Focus Groups (June 3, 2022)
- NCUIH submitted comments to IHS regarding HIT Modernization: Preparing for Change (April 7, 2023)
- NCUIH Requests IHS Support Interoperability, Reimbursement for Health IT Modernization (June 9, 2023)
- NCUIH submitted comments to IHS regarding HIT Modernization Leaders Engaging in Governance (September 1, 2023)
- NCUIH submitted comments to IHS regarding HIT Modernization The Path Forward (December 8, 2023)
- NCUIH Requests Inclusive Governance and Equitable Cohort Selection for Urban Indian Organizations in IHS’ Health Information Technology Modernization Efforts (March 7, 2024, and June 7, 2024)
NCUIH also submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding the Fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding for UIOs in which NCUIH requested increased funding for EHR Modernization. Specifically, NCUIH requested support for the IHS’ transition to a new EHR system for IHS and UIOs by supporting the President’s budget request of $913 million in FY 2024 appropriations.
NCUIH will continue to closely follow IHS’s progress and policies with HIT Modernization.
