Tag: data sharing

The 2025 Audit: Public Policy and Administration Year-End Wrap-Up

As we close the final chapter of 2025 on iversonsoftware.com, we look back at a year that functioned less like a routine update and more like a total System Refactoring of the public sector. From the halls of Washington to local municipalities, Public Policy and Administration in 2025 was defined by a shift toward radical efficiency, digital sovereignty, and the dismantling of legacy bureaucratic structures.

At Iverson Software, we track the protocols of power. This year, the “Social Operating System” underwent a series of high-stakes deployments. As a new administration took the helm in the U.S. and global alliances shifted toward a multipolar architecture, public administrators were tasked with maintaining service delivery amidst a climate of unprecedented regulatory change.

1. Administrative Modernization: The “Unified API” Era

One of the biggest technical wins of 2025 was the long-awaited modernization of the IRS. After decades of “spaghetti code” and fragmented databases, the Unified API Layer project finally launched, streamlining compliance and enabling the agency to cut $2 billion in wasteful IT contracts.

  • GovTech Maturity: Governments moved beyond simple digitization to Proactive Service Design. Instead of citizens searching for benefits, systems now use “Integrated Eligibility” protocols to push services to users based on real-time data life-events.

  • AI Integration: Generative AI is no longer a pilot program; it is the “Front-end” for public inquiries. AI-driven agents now handle thousands of routine tasks, from benefits eligibility checks to license renewals, allowing human administrators to focus on high-complexity “Edge Cases.”

2. Policy Disruption: The “Zero-Based” Regulatory Shift

2025 saw a massive overhaul of federal policy through a series of “Executive Patches” (Executive Orders) that significantly altered the administrative landscape:

  • The Efficiency Mandate: A new focus on “Government Efficiency” led to the dismantling of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) offices across the federal workforce, with the administration citing a need to reduce “System Overhead.”

  • Tariff Protocols: The “Kuala Lumpur Joint Arrangement” and reciprocal tariffs on Mexico and China redefined trade as a security protocol, creating a “Firewall” around domestic manufacturing but introducing significant “Latencies” (inflationary pressures) in the consumer market.

  • Immigration Hardening: Enhanced enforcement and the termination of programs like DACA represented a major “Permission Reset” for the national border, impacting workforce availability in key sectors like agriculture and tech.

3. Operational Realities: The “Silver Tsunami” and Talent Gaps

While the tech was updated, the “Human Hardware” faced a critical shortage.

  • The Workforce Gap: The public sector continues to struggle with the “Silver Tsunami”—the mass retirement of long-serving experts. Recruitment has become a competitive “Bidding War,” with agencies struggling to match private-sector salaries.

  • Connected Compliance: To handle the increased regulatory speed, compliance teams have adopted “Intelligence-led” models. These systems use AI to scan for fraud and improper payments in real-time, preventing billions in “System Leakage” before checks are even cut.

4. Global Interoperability: The BRICS+ Network

Beyond U.S. borders, 2025 marked the formal expansion of the BRICS+ alliance. This shift created a “Parallel Global Network,” challenging the dominance of Western financial protocols. Public administrators now have to navigate “Multi-source Data Ecosystems” where different regions operate under vastly different legal and semantic standards.

Looking Ahead to 2026: The Resilient State

As we enter 2026, the theme is Resilience. The goal is no longer just “Efficiency,” but “Interoperability”—ensuring that local, state, and federal systems can talk to each other while remaining secure against expanding cybersecurity threats. At Iverson Software, we will continue to provide the “Reference Documentation” you need to navigate these shifting structures.

Your Medical Records Aren’t as Private as You May Think

Most people assume their medical records live in a sealed vault — guarded, protected, and accessible only to the doctor they trust. It’s a comforting belief. It feels safe. It feels personal. But the truth is more complicated. Your medical information moves through more hands, more systems, and more organizations than you might expect.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. When you understand how your information flows, you can make smarter choices, ask better questions, and protect your privacy with confidence.

Let’s explore what really happens behind the scenes — and what you can do to stay in control.

The Myth of the “Private Chart”

For decades, medical records were paper files tucked into office cabinets. Today, nearly everything is digital. Electronic health records (EHRs) make care faster, safer, and more coordinated — but they also mean your information travels farther.

Your records may be accessed by:

  • multiple clinicians within a health system
  • insurance companies
  • billing departments
  • third‑party software vendors
  • labs and imaging centers
  • pharmacies

Each access point is a doorway — and every doorway comes with its own risks.

1. Insurance Companies See More Than You Think

Insurance companies often require detailed medical information to:

  • approve treatments
  • process claims
  • authorize medications
  • evaluate coverage

This means your diagnoses, test results, and treatment history may be reviewed by people you’ve never met. It’s not personal — it’s administrative — but it’s still your private information.

2. Your Data Moves Through Many Systems

When your doctor orders a lab test, your information flows to:

  • the lab
  • the lab’s software system
  • the EHR
  • the billing system
  • your insurance company

Each step involves different organizations, different servers, and different privacy practices. Even when everyone follows the rules, the sheer number of touchpoints increases exposure.

3. “Minimum Necessary” Isn’t Always Minimal

Healthcare organizations are supposed to share only the minimum necessary information to complete a task. But in practice, “minimum” can be broad. A billing department may need diagnosis codes. A specialist may need your full history. A pharmacy may need your medication list.

The result? More people see your information than you might expect.

4. Data Sharing Between Health Systems Is Growing

Many hospitals and clinics now participate in health information exchanges (HIEs) — networks that allow providers to share patient data quickly. This improves care, especially in emergencies, but it also means your records may be accessible across multiple organizations.

You may not always be asked for permission. In some states, you must opt out, not opt in.

5. Third‑Party Apps Can Access Your Records

Many people now use apps to:

  • track medications
  • view lab results
  • manage appointments
  • download health summaries

These apps often require permission to access your medical records. Once your data leaves the healthcare system and enters a consumer app, it may not be protected by the same privacy laws.

Always read the fine print.

6. Your Records Can Be Used for “Operational Purposes”

Healthcare organizations can use your information for:

  • quality improvement
  • training
  • internal audits
  • system testing

These uses are legal and often beneficial — but they’re not always obvious to patients.

7. Data Breaches Happen More Often Than You Think

Healthcare is one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks. Why? Because medical records contain:

  • personal identifiers
  • financial information
  • health history

This makes them extremely valuable on the black market. Even when systems are secure, breaches still occur.

What You Can Control

You can’t stop every data flow — but you can take meaningful steps to protect your privacy.

Here are practical ways to stay empowered:

  • ask who will see your information
  • request copies of your records
  • review your patient portal for accuracy
  • opt out of data‑sharing programs when possible
  • limit which apps you connect to your health data
  • ask your doctor how your information is stored and shared
  • read privacy notices before signing anything

These small actions help you stay informed and in control.

Why This Matters

Your medical information is deeply personal. It reflects your history, your vulnerabilities, your fears, your triumphs. You deserve to know where it goes, who sees it, and how it’s used.

Awareness isn’t paranoia — it’s empowerment. It helps you:

  • ask better questions
  • make informed choices
  • protect your privacy
  • advocate for yourself
  • build trust with your healthcare team

You don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert. You just need to stay curious and engaged.

Final Thoughts: Privacy Isn’t Guaranteed — But Awareness Is Power

Your medical records aren’t as private as you may think — but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. When you understand how your information moves, you can take steps to protect it, question it, and guide it.

Healthcare works best when patients are informed, confident, and empowered. And privacy is a key part of that empowerment.