Civitas Networks for Health® aims to affirm the role of its members in the nationwide interoperability and health improvement landscapes with to aid individual, population, and public health; further health equity; and improve health outcomes. The goal is to build partnerships, influence funding and legislation, as well as advocate for regulatory actions that support Civitas members’ critical work.
Civitas members provide necessary infrastructure for the effective, efficient, and evidence-based delivery of health care services. In short, we advocate for using data to improve care. The following priorities align with policy mechanisms of which there is opportunity and consensus for action:
To meet these aims, Civitas proposes taking specific action throughout the year:
We will collaborate with our members to assess the Medicaid proposals currently circulating in Congress (including proposed MES/MMIS rate caps) and CMCS policy changes affecting Section 1115 waivers and potentially the APD process. We will also seize opportunities to educate key Hill offices and committees during our annual Washington D.C. Fly-In and in other virtual meetings with federal policymakers. As some Civitas members face possible direct funding cuts and many others prepare for the significant ripple effects of anticipated Medicaid cuts on state and provider budgets, we will continue to provide forums for shared planning, strategies, political intelligence, and adaptive successes.
We will engage our QIO members through meetings, surveys, and group discussions to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and strategic potential of their QIN-QIO and HQIC contract activities. The most recent and compelling program impact data will help us make the case for the QIO program to the Administration and Congress. Our advocacy will emphasize program ROI in terms of beneficiary lives and taxpayer dollars saved, aiming to prevent any adverse policy changes and showcase the value of “core” authorized program activities vs. bloated support contract functions. Civitas will also meet with the CMS-CCSQ leadership to press for awarding the delayed 13th SOW QIN-QIO contracts, while our Fly-In (and other meetings) will press key Hill offices to do the same.
We will promote Civitas’ leadership of the Health Data Utility (HDU) model for public and nonprofit health data infrastructure nationwide by publishing updated resources with member input (revised HDU Framework Supplement, case studies) and presenting to state-level authorities and industry. Working closely with members and partners, the Civitas team will seek to solidify HDUs in practice by updating “legacy” state statutes and regulations to account for HIEs’ expanded use cases, and by engaging with new federal health data policy leads (the proposed “Office of the Chief Technology Officer” that would include ASTP) to pursue recognition of state-designated HDUs with official guidance and already-appropriated resources.
We will work with members to assess the impacts of likely federal cuts and capability reduction beyond Medicaid, including at CDC, CMMI, and USDA-FNS, as well as several agencies (SAMHSA, ACL, HRSA) that the Administration plans to reorganize under the proposed “Administration for a Healthy America.” Federal advocacy will focus on maintaining Medicare PFS reimbursement for community health activities integrated with data (CHI, PIN, SDOH-RA), as well as value-based Medicare programs that incentivize connectivity (PI, MIPS). On both the federal and state levels, Civitas will emphasize our members’ central roles in activities that lower utilization rates, increase transparency, and drive systemic efficiencies—, including state APCDs and regional community care hub models. In the current context, these are enablers of greater state autonomy in public health functions, consistent with the goals of both the new Administration and many state policymakers looking to strengthen their own capacity as the federal government retrenches.
Questions? Please email the Civitas team at contact [at] civitasforhealth.org.
In early 2025, Civitas launched the inaugural Government Relations and Advocacy Committee (GRAC), chaired by Civitas Board member, Craig Behm, President and CEO of CRISP – Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients. This dynamic group represents a diverse array of Civitas full and affiliate members, each bringing extensive federal and state government relations experience to the table. The GRAC will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing Civitas’ public policy agenda, focusing on key priorities including interoperability, quality improvement, data infrastructure, and human service integration. By leveraging their extensive experience and organizational influence, GRAC members will drive strategic impact, enhance communication with the Board of Directors, and provide valuable guidance to Civitas members throughout this busy legislative year.