February 15, 2018. The draft guidance Changes to Existing Medical Software Policies Resulting from Section 3060 of the 21st Century Cures Act removes FDA evaluation of EHRs and leaves only certification by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure that software is both functional for providers and safe for patients. However, ONC certification is not sufficient to protect patients from problems with EHR software. For that reason, the draft guidance as written puts patients’ lives at risk.
Read More »On Health Policy
NCHR Comments to USPSTF on Non-traditional Screening Methods for Heart Disease
February 12, 2018, USPSTF. We agree with the USPSTF that current evidence is insufficient to assess potential benefits and harms of adding the ankle-brachial index (ABI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), or coronary artery calcification (CAC) score to the traditional risk assessments for CVD.
Read More »NCHR Comments on USPSTF Draft Screening Recommendations for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
USPSTF, February 12, 2018. In order to more widely recommend ABI, we need more studies directly evaluating both the efficacy and harms. Most importantly, we encourage the USPSTF to review studies that analyze the accuracy of ABI and its effect on improving health outcomes in asymptomatic PAD patients.
Read More »Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman before the Maryland House of Delegates Appropriations Committee on the Health Risks of Artificial Turf
February 8, 2018. It is essential that the State of Maryland stop paying for artificial turf fields and playgrounds that can clearly exacerbate our children’s existing health problems and cause new health problems. Let’s instead invest in safe, natural playing fields, unless any artificial alternatives are proven to be safer, more effective, and as cost-effective as grass.
Read More »NCHR Testimony to House Appropriations Committee Regarding Playground and Athletic Field Surfaces
February 8, 2018. Companies that make and install synthetic turf on these types of surfaces maintain that it is proven safe and cost-effective compared to grass. However, these materials are not required by any federal government agency to be proven safe. These surfaces can expose children to harmful chemicals and can put children at risk of injury. We appreciate the Committee’s close attention and legislative oversight of this important safety issue for our state’s children and their schools.
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