HHS

New Federal Health IT Strategy

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, released the draft 2024–2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (the draft Plan) for public comment.


Coming Together: Part 2 and HIPAA

By Matthew Fisher – HHS released a final rule that will establish greater alignment between Part 2 (privacy of substance use disorder treatment records) and HIPAA. They kicked off the process with a notice of proposed rulemaking that was published on 12/2/22.




HHS Expands TEFCA by Adding Two Additional QHINs

The ONC announced that two additional organizations—CommonWell Health Alliance and Kno2—have been designated as Qualified Health Information Networks™ (QHINs) capable of nationwide health data exchange governed by the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.



HHS Urges Continuous Staff Cyber Training

By Art Gross – In a groundbreaking development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reached a settlement with Lafourche Medical Group, a Louisiana-based medical facility, following a phishing cyberattack that compromised the electronic protected health information of nearly 35,000 patients.


Secretary Becerra Names Chief Competition Officer

The HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra appointed Stacy Sanders to the role of Chief Competition Officer, a new role for the Department which was created last month as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to lower health care and prescription drugs costs by promoting competition.