The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has recently released a draft of its strategic plan for 2024-2030. This plan outlines the federal health IT priorities for the next five years, with a strong emphasis on health equity and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The plan aims to enhance health experiences and outcomes for individuals, populations, and communities, serving as a roadmap for both federal initiatives and private sector activities.
Emphasis on Health Equity and AI
Addressing Health Equity
The ONC’s strategic plan places a significant focus on health equity, aiming to ensure that all individuals have access to quality healthcare regardless of their background. This includes addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among different populations. The plan outlines specific goals to promote health and wellness, enhance the delivery and experience of care, and connect the health system with health data to support these objectives.
The approach of focusing on health equity is expected to bring a transformative change in how healthcare services are delivered across various demographics. It aims to remove the barriers hindering underserved communities from accessing essential healthcare services. By leveraging health IT solutions, the ONC envisions a future where healthcare disparities are minimized, and quality care becomes a universal standard. The plan counts on the collaborative effort of both public and private entities to achieve its overarching goal of equitable healthcare.
Integrating AI Responsibly
Given the rapid development and integration of AI in healthcare, the ONC’s plan emphasizes the need for the federal government to navigate this transformative technology responsibly. AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving diagnostics, personalizing treatment plans, and streamlining administrative processes. However, the plan also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of AI and algorithms in health IT.
Attention to ethical considerations and the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks are imperative to ensure AI technologies are employed safely. The ONC underscores the importance of developing and promoting industry standards that ensure AI tools are used without bias and with a high degree of accuracy. This pathway not only aims to optimize clinical outcomes but also builds public trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Collaboration with Federal Agencies
Coordinating Efforts
The draft plan was developed in collaboration with over 25 federal agencies, underscoring the ONC’s statutory duty to coordinate health IT efforts across the federal government. These agencies play a crucial role in regulating, purchasing, developing, and using health IT to deliver care and improve health outcomes. The plan aims to align these efforts to create a cohesive and efficient health IT infrastructure.
Effective coordination among these agencies ensures that different facets of the healthcare ecosystem work harmoniously, thereby avoiding overlapping or conflicting initiatives. This collective approach is critical for setting unified goals, streamlining processes, and sharing pertinent electronic health information seamlessly among stakeholders. The intention is to create an interconnected system where each component speaks the same technological language, driving efficiency and better health outcomes.
Aligning with HHS Priorities
A significant aspect of the strategic plan is its alignment with other priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This includes new regulations mandating technology upgrades and advancing interoperability and transparency in predictive decision support tools. The final rule, known as the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1), establishes nationwide requirements for transparency regarding the AI and algorithms used in health IT.
Such alignment with HHS’s priorities solidifies comprehensive health IT governance, ensuring that upgrades and innovations are adopted uniformly across the nation. The emphasis on transparency helps in elevating the standards of predictability and accuracy in healthcare technology. This regulatory framework ensures that all entities operating within the health IT landscape conform to approved standards, promoting interoperability and making healthcare data more actionable and reliable.
Enhancing Public Health Infrastructure
Strengthening Public Health Data
The ONC’s plan also focuses on enhancing the public health data infrastructure, particularly for communities that need it the most. This includes improving the collection, sharing, and use of electronic health information (EHI) to support public health efforts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has praised the draft plan for its potential to advance public health data infrastructure and improve health outcomes.
By targeting the enhancement of public health data systems, the ONC aims to enable real-time data access and sharing, which can significantly boost the responsiveness and effectiveness of public health initiatives. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive health data are essential for identifying and addressing public health challenges quickly. This focus on public health data aims to ensure that every community, particularly those historically underserved, can benefit from cutting-edge data-driven health solutions.
Supporting Public Health Efforts
The plan aims to support public health efforts by providing a robust framework for the use of health IT. This includes promoting the use of EHI to monitor and respond to public health threats, as well as supporting research and innovation in public health. The plan’s focus on public health is seen as a critical step towards improving the nation’s overall health and well-being.
Support for public health initiatives involves bolstering the infrastructure that allows for continuous and precise health monitoring. Increased support for public health research and innovation can lead to the discovery of more effective treatments and the mitigation of health risks. As such, this plan proposes using health IT as a backbone to enhance the capabilities of public health institutions and professionals, fostering an environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation.
Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns
HHS’s Cybersecurity Strategy
The strategic plan aligns with HHS’s strategy to strengthen cybersecurity within the healthcare industry. Last year, HHS introduced a healthcare cybersecurity concept paper and voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) to help healthcare organizations prioritize and implement impactful cybersecurity practices. The concept paper outlines steps to advance healthcare cyber resiliency, including setting voluntary cybersecurity goals and incentivizing the implementation of cybersecurity practices.
An effective cybersecurity strategy is essential for protecting sensitive health information from breaches and cyberattacks. The plan’s emphasis on cybersecurity aims to create a resilient infrastructure capable of resisting emerging threats. By endorsing these best practices, healthcare institutions can safeguard personal health information and preserve the integrity of the health IT system. The ultimate goal is to foster a secure environment that supports the seamless operation of healthcare services without the fear of cyber intrusion.
Concerns from the American Hospital Association
Despite the support from various healthcare organizations, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has expressed significant concerns regarding HHS’s cybersecurity approach. AHA’s John Riggi argues that the focus on mandatory cybersecurity requirements for hospitals is misguided and that the federal government must adopt a broader and holistic defensive strategy to counter cyber risks. Riggi emphasizes the need for an aggressive offensive strategy to counter foreign cyber threats.
The AHA’s stance highlights the complexity of implementing a unified cybersecurity strategy. A broader approach could involve preventive measures across various levels of the healthcare system rather than isolating hospitals. This comprehensive strategy should also include offensive measures to actively counter foreign cyber threats, ensuring the healthcare sector is well-guarded against sophisticated cyberattacks. The AHA’s feedback is an integral part of the ongoing discourse aimed at refining and enhancing cybersecurity policies within the health IT framework.
Feedback and Implementation
Public Feedback
The ONC encourages the public to provide feedback on the draft plan until May 28. This feedback will be pivotal in refining and implementing the comprehensive strategy. The plan is structured to drive outcomes by focusing on four overarching goals: promoting health and wellness, enhancing the delivery and experience of care, accelerating research and innovation, and connecting the health system with health data.
Public feedback is not merely a formality but a crucial component in shaping a practical and inclusive health IT strategy. By inviting insights and suggestions from a diverse array of stakeholders, the ONC can tailor its initiatives to better meet the needs of its users. The collaborative process ensures that the final strategic plan is well-rounded and addresses the real-world challenges and aspirations of the healthcare community.
Support from Healthcare Organizations
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has unveiled a draft of its strategic plan for 2024-2030. This comprehensive document sets forth the federal health IT priorities for the next six years, with a particular focus on promoting health equity and harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to improve health experiences and outcomes for individuals, populations, and communities at large. The strategic plan acts as a detailed roadmap, guiding both federal initiatives and private sector activities. In this new plan, ONC aims to bridge gaps in healthcare access, ensure quality care, and promote the use of innovative technologies to streamline processes within the healthcare system. By leveraging AI, the ONC intends to enhance decision-making, improve patient care, and ensure more accurate diagnoses. The plan underscores the importance of collaboration between federal agencies and private entities to create a more efficient, equitable healthcare environment for all.
