The U.S Health and Human Services Department has renamed the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
HHS said in a notice posted to the Federal Register on Monday it will streamline technology, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence strategy and policy functions under the newly-created Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The name was officially changed this past Thursday while the agency continues to undergo restructuring.
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The move comes as HHS has said it will hire a chief AI officer, a chief technology officer and a chief data officer. Micky Tripathi, who has been ONC's top official since January 2021, will continue to serve at the top of the organization as the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
Here's what's behind the change:
What will the new office oversee?
ASTP/ONC will oversee department-level and cross-agency technology, data, AI strategy and policy functions within HHS. A spokesperson said the office will have additional oversight of technology, data, and AI policy and strategy. Some of these functions were previously overseen and regulated by the Assistant Secretary for Administration's office.
What is the leadership structure of ASTP/ONC
Tripathi and two deputies will oversee the Office of Policy, Office of Standards, Certification and Analysis, Office of the Chief Operating Officer and Office of the Chief Technology Officer. The Office of the Chief Technology Officer will oversee the Office of the Chief AI Officer, Office of the Chief Data Officer and a new Office of Digital Services. HHS posted three jobs on July 26 signaling the agency's intent to hire a chief AI officer, chief technology officer and chief data officer.
What was the reason for the change?
The reorganization consolidates and streamlines operations that were previously distributed across ONC, the Assistant Secretary for Administration and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
Tripathi said in a blog on Thursday that ASTP/ONC had previously played an informal role shaping technology and data policy across HHS. He said the move formalizes its role in those functions. He said changes will help ensure HHS is making the best use of technology and data across its divisions.
As an example, a spokesperson said the move will help create standard health IT language across HHS when the agency is creating applicable grants, cooperative agreements, contracts and guidance.
What is the history of the ONC?
ONC was created by an executive order from former President George W. Bush on April 27, 2004 to help jumpstart the adoption of electronic health records. Before ONC was formed, paper records and charts stored on-site were normal. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 codified ONC's existence and the agency was central to the adoption of EHRs across the industry during the 2010s. Tripathi said in an interview in May that ONC's challenges going forward are enforcing interoperability and regulating AI.
