Who Benefits: The Frontlines of Care

Altera’s clients, health systems, hospitals, and large medical groups, are the ones dealing with the real-world consequences of health IT regulation. Burchell and her team work to ensure that these providers can implement tools that support their workflows, not disrupt them. “We want it to be a delightful experience to use the software,” she says. “That’s how you deliver better care.”

Where It’s Going: More Innovation, Less Micromanagement

Looking ahead, Burchell sees the pendulum swinging toward a more innovation-friendly environment. CMS is taking the lead on health IT policy, encouraging voluntary action rather than heavy-handed regulation. That approach could foster collaboration across tech companies, payers, and providers if done right.

But she warns against losing sight of standards. Without them, data exchange between systems like Altera, Epic, or Athena could break down. “We need some level of government work continuing,” she says. “But the government doesn’t make a good product manager.”

Conclusion: Don’t Forget the Clinician or the Patient

Burchell’s north star is clear: keep the user at the center. The more Altera can listen to and serve its hospital and physician clients, the better care they can provide. “We all want that, right? As patients ourselves,” she says. “We have to keep our eye on that. Why are we doing this? It needs to be about the patient.”