By KAT McDAVITT and LISA BARI
Regulations are created by well-intentioned government employees who, understandably, focus on the loudest voices they hear. However, these voices often come from organizations with the resources to access the federal government, leaving patients underrepresented. This lack of representation in policy development is impacting patient care and outcomes.
Policies such as Meaningful Use and the Substance Use Disorder Prevention Act were well-intentioned but have been eroded by corporate interests, resulting in suboptimal patient outcomes. The lack of patient representation and access in these policies has led to siloed health data and increased barriers to care.
It is clear that patients need better representation in policy development. Creating a dedicated position of Chief Patient Officer within the Department of Health and Human Services could ensure that patient voices are heard and prioritized in policy making.
Kat McDavitt is president of Innsena and CEO of the Zorya Foundation. Lisa Bari is CEO of Civitas Networks for Health.
