As the U.S. inches toward 100 confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infections, President Trump is making plans to take the stage at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual meeting.
The conference, taking place March 8th through March 13th at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, Florida, will bring together some of the biggest names in healthcare IT to discuss the transformation of the health ecosystem through information and technology. Last year, more than 42,000 people registered for the event.
A HIMSS spokesperson confirmed to HCB News that Trump will be giving remarks at the event but said they have not seen his final speech. "On Monday, March 9, 2020, President Donald J. Trump will travel to Orlando, Florida, where he'll deliver remarks at the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition," the spokesperson wrote via email, adding that the timing of Trump's remarks was "still fluid."
As concern regarding the coronavirus exposure risks of converging in crowded public spaces has increased, HIMSS issued a statement today saying it, "has assembled an external panel of medical professionals to further advise our evidence-based decision-making and to ensure the safety of the healthcare community currently planning to assemble in Florida for HIMSS20."
Last week, the White House requested $2.5 billion to address the crisis, with half as new funds and the rest collected from existing health programs, including $535 million for fighting Ebola. The amount was met with criticism by both Democrats and Republicans who deemed it too low. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.-NY) requested $8.5 billion in funding.
