A coalition of telehealth stakeholders, led by ATA Action, is pressing the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to extend pandemic-era telemedicine flexibilities that enable virtual prescriptions for controlled substances. These measures have been pivotal in ensuring uninterrupted patient care, especially for those with mental and behavioral health needs, but they are set to expire soon. Without the extension, patients and providers risk facing significant disruptions in care continuity. The ongoing debate highlights the necessity of balancing patient access with safeguards against misuse as healthcare technology evolves.

Stakeholders Urge Swift Extension of Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities Healthcare IT News

President Donald Trump has announced an executive order aimed at establishing federal regulations for artificial intelligence (AI), preventing individual states from creating their own rules. This initiative, part of a broader deregulation agenda, seeks to maintain the U.S. competitive edge in AI by standardizing regulations and could penalize states with existing laws by withholding federal funding. While proponents argue it streamlines compliance for tech companies, critics, including some state leaders, warn that it undermines local protections against issues such as data privacy and online censorship. As AI technology rapidly advances, this move highlights the tension between federal oversight and state-level governance, posing significant implications for healthcare technology regulation and innovation.

Trumps AI Executive Order: Centralizes Regulations, Sparks State Opposition Fast Company

OpenEvidence, a startup established in 2022, is developing a platform that allows healthcare professionals to quickly access verified medical information, positioning itself as "ChatGPT for doctors." By focusing on high-quality research from reputable sources like The Lancet and Nature Medicine, the tool aims to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of clinical decision-making. Having secured $200 million in Series C funding, with a valuation of $6 billion, OpenEvidence highlights the growing demand for reliable healthcare AI technologies, which are projected to expand significantly in the coming years. Access is limited to verified clinicians, ensuring the integrity of information and preventing misuse by patients.

OpenEvidence Revolutionizes Healthcare with AI, Raises $200M Series C Funding Healthcare Brew

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is phasing out its Cybersecurity Retention Incentive (CRI) program due to findings of mismanagement from a recent audit. The CRI program, launched in 2015 to retain cybersecurity talent through financial incentives, will be replaced by the Cyber Talent Management System (CTMS), which aims to streamline hiring and enhance salary competitiveness. This change underscores a strategic shift in how CISA plans to recruit and retain cybersecurity professionals, though it raises concerns regarding the future of current CRI beneficiaries and the potential impact on workforce stability. Healthcare technology sectors, which increasingly rely on cybersecurity expertise, may face challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals amid this transition.

CISA Discontinues Mismanaged CRI Program, Shifts to Competitive CTMS Cybersecurity Dive