By MATTHEW HOLT
This topic has been on my mind for quite a while, and after a vivid realization struck me in the middle of the night, I felt it was essential to share my thoughts. While this may jeopardize some of my relationships, it is imperative that someone from within the health technology field raises these issues.
A week ago,various stakeholders from health tech firms,healthcare providers,and insurance companies convened at the White House for an event provocatively named “Make American Health Technology Great Again“. Organized by Amy Gleason—an advocate whose dedication to enhancing patient care is evident through her personal experiences with her daughter Morgan’s medical struggles—the discussions revolved around voluntary initiatives that align with current regulations aimed at improving American healthcare and benefiting patients.
The truth is that many of these initiatives are already underway. Those involved in health technology understand that sence 2020, accessing health data and leveraging AI has become substantially more straightforward—a notable betterment compared to earlier years. Though, there remains an urgent need for further progress. It’s clear that major healthcare systems and their leading electronic medical record provider Epic have not prioritized making data access user-friendly for either patients or innovators. The outdated practise of requiring faxes continues; just last week I had a rather amusing experience trying to book an appointment at a UCSF-affiliated hospital where I ended up both emailing and faxing my referral—something I’m sure will still be necessary in 2028.
You can find detailed details about the initiatives discussed during this event from prominent figures like Lisa Bari, as well as new parent Brendan Keeler.
The Alarming Acceptance of Leadership Norms in Health tech
This leads me to what genuinely concerns me—the troubling acceptance surrounding those who are supposedly steering our nation’s health policies and technologies alongside the complacency displayed by attendees at last week’s gathering.
A Departure from Democratic Ideals
I wasn’t present at this specific event; however, many colleagues attended while I’ve participated in similar gatherings during previous administrations. What we observe now under Trump signifies a notable deviation from America’s historical leadership role in both healthcare innovation and democratic values—and such a shift cannot be overlooked.
An Intolerable Legacy of Authoritarianism
The actions taken by trump’s governance have been nothing short of authoritarian across multiple dimensions—too numerous to detail fully here. Despite being elected amidst considerable controversy—including convictions related to sexual misconduct and election interference—it does not absolve him of accountability or diminish his influence on governance. As we approach the upcoming elections in 2024, he faces serious legal challenges including allegations concerning mishandling classified documents and attempts at voter manipulation.
Nations like South Korea and Brazil have dealt decisively with leaders who engaged in similar misconduct through prosecution or barring them from future office—a stark contrast highlighting America’s current political landscape.
The Impact on Healthcare Systems
Since regaining power, Trump’s administration has presided over unprecedented levels of political corruption—evident even through direct financial transactions involving cryptocurrencies linked back to him personally.Moreover,agencies such as ICE have morphed into entities reminiscent of oppressive regimes seen throughout history; reports indicate they are detaining individuals indiscriminately across various communities—including citizens—as part of broader immigration enforcement strategies.
Many immigrants play crucial roles within our healthcare system yet face increasing risks solely as they belong there.
Additionally alarming are proposed cuts targeting Medicaid—the vital program supporting low-income Americans—which will undoubtedly harm countless patients relying on its services while also affecting many companies focused on effectively serving medicaid recipients.
A Call Against Apathy
This situation prompts questions about why members within America’s healthcare community woudl choose merely applaud someone who has shown blatant disregard towards ethical governance simply as he delivers speeches regarding interoperability?