Leigh Burchell Spills the Tea on Regs, Roadblocks, and Real Digital Health Progress

In this episode of HITea With Grace, we’re joined by Leigh Burchell, VP of Policy and Public Affairs at Altera Digital Health and Chair of the Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA). Leigh brings a wealth of insight into the fast-moving world of health IT policy—from Capitol Hill to state capitals across the country. We chat about Leigh’s career journey from PR to public policy leadership, and how mentorship shaped her path. She breaks down the evolving regulatory landscape under the current administration, the tension between federal and state-level policies, and how health IT teams are navigating increasingly complex compliance demands. We also dive into the ongoing battle against information blocking, and how the EHRA is tackling emerging issues like AI governance, patient privacy, and consent frameworks. Leigh shares her thoughts on why national frameworks matter, the risks of a patchwork regulatory approach, and what’s ahead for digital health advocates. As always, we wrap up with some personal reflections—on work-life balance, confidence, and advice for women building careers in healthcare IT. And of course, we ask Leigh to spill the tea—literally—with her favorite blend and the story behind her Wonder Woman mug.