CA Enacts SB 957 To Improve CDPH Collection Of SOGI Information
On September 28th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 957 (Wiener) to strengthen California Department of Public Health (CDPH) collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data across its programs and partners. The passage of the bill will require CDPH to collect SOGI data from third party entities, including local health jurisdictions, on all forms or electronic data systems unless prohibited by law to facilitate better care and tailored services for LGBTQ+ communities. (Senator Wiener Press Release, 9/28)
HHS Update on SDOH Strategic Approach
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new report on current efforts of the HHS strategic approach to address social determinants of health (SDOH), highlighting initiatives and early accomplishments across HHS agencies. Enhancing data infrastructure is one of three goals in the HHS strategic approach as HHS agencies aim to collect, exchange, and use more robust SDOH data to address policy gaps and eliminate disparities. (HHS, 10/1)
Data Matching in Kings and Tulare Counties To Assist Unhoused Individuals
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) supported partnerships between local Continuums of Care (CoCs), community partners, and Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) in Kings and Tulare counties to integrate CalAIM services with homeless response to drive better outcomes for unhoused populations. As part of the initiative, key strategies for improvement were identified including a data-matching project to identify eligible unhoused individuals in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and matched them to an MCP member roster to initiate faster enrollment and services. (CHCS, September 2024)
ASTP/ONC Releases 2024 Draft FHIR Action Plan
The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ASTP/ONC) released their 2024 Draft Federal FHIR Action Plan to outline how federal agencies are using the HL7 FHIR standard to support coordination and adoption across federal agencies and the greater health IT community. Focusing on six areas of uses, the plan aims to build an innovative environment to strengthen consistent use with mature and early-stage FHIR-based implementation specifications. The draft plan will be available for public comment until November 25. (ASTP/ONC, 9/23)
