[Federal Register: August 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 160)]
[Notices]
[Page 48718-48720]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au05-54]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology; Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of
Authority
Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization,
Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the Department of Health
and Human Services, Part A, as last amended at 69 FR 51679-51680, dated
August 20, 2004, and Chapter AA, Office of the Secretary, as last
amended at 69 FR 51679-51680, dated August 20, 2004, are being amended
to establish a new Chapter AR, the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology (ONC) within the Office of the
Secretary. The changes are as follows:
I. Under Part A, Chapter AA, Section AA.10 Organization, insert the
following: ``Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology (AR)''
II. Under Part A, establish a new Chapter AR, ``Office of the
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)'' to read
as follows:
Section AR.00 Mission
Section AR.10 Organization
Section AR.20 Functions
Section AR.00 Mission: The Office of the National Coordinator for
Health Information Technology provides leadership for the development
and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information
technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of
health care and the ability of consumers to manage their care and
safety. The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
serves as the Secretary's principal advisor on the development,
application, and use of health information technology; coordinates the
Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) health information
technology programs; ensures that HHS health information technology
policy and programs are coordinated with those of other relevant
executive branch agencies; and to the extent permitted by law,
develops, maintains, and directs the implementation of a strategic plan
to guide the nationwide implementation of interoperable health
information technology in both the public and private health care
sectors that will reduce medical errors, improve quality, and produce
greater value for health care expenditures, and coordinates outreach
and consultation by the
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relevant executive branch agencies with the public and private sectors.
The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology provides
comments and advice at the request of OMB regarding specific Federal
health information technology programs.
Section AR.10 Organization: The Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology (ONC) is under the direction of the
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology who reports
directly to the Secretary. The office consists of the following
components.
A. Immediate Office of the National Coordinator (ARA)
B. Office of Health Information Technology Adoption (ARB)
C. Office of Interoperability and Standards (ARC)
D. Office of Programs and Coordination (ARE)
E. Office of Policy and Research (ARF)
Section AR.20 Functions:
A. Immediate Office of the National Coordinator (ARA): The
Immediate Office of the National Coordinator (IO/ONC) is headed by the
National Coordinator, who provides executive direction to the office.
The National Coordinator is responsible for carrying out ONC's mission
and implementing the functions of the ONC. The IO/ONC: (1) Ensures that
key health information technology initiatives are coordinated across
HHS programs; (2) ensures that health information technology policy and
programs of HHS are coordinated with those of relevant executive branch
agencies (including Federal commissions and advisory committees) with a
goal of avoiding duplication of efforts and of helping to ensure that
each agency undertakes activities primarily within the areas of its
greatest expertise and technical capability; (3) review Federal health
information technology investments to ensure Federal health information
technology programs are meeting the objectives of the strategic plan,
required under Executive Order 13335, to create a nationwide
interoperable health information technology infrastructure; (4) at the
request of OMB, provides comments and advice regarding specific Federal
health information technology programs; (5) develops, maintains, and
reports on measurable outcome goals for health information technology
to assess progress within HHS and other executive branch agencies; and
in the private sector, in developing and implementing a nationwide
interoperable health infrastructure; and (6) fulfills the
administrative, reporting, infrastructure, and budget-preparation
support needs of the office.
B. Office of Health Information Technology Adoption (ARB): The
Office of Health Information Technology Adoption (OHITA) is headed by a
Director. OHITA works and coordinates with all other ONC offices to
identify health information technology strategies, and works with other
relevant HHS offices to implement these strategies and monitor outcomes
in fulfillment of the President's goals. Specifically, in coordination
with other HHS offices, OHITA: (1) Develops and coordinates strategies
to incentivize adoption of health information technology, to reduce the
risk of health information technology investment, and to promote health
information technology diffusion; (2) coordinates the development of
strategies and guidance to create electronic personal health management
tools and to enhance informed consumer choice for health care; (3)
coordinates with relevant executive branch agencies in promoting and
transferring health information technology to public sector; (4)
identifies and documents evidence on the benefits and costs of
interoperable health information technology and to whom the benefits
and costs accrue; (5) assesses the current state of health information
technology adoption, specifies measurable goals and methods for
evaluating strategies and determines approaches that can accelerate
health information technology adoption in a cost-effective manner; and
(6) coordinates with other offices within ONC to develop
recommendations regarding health information technology compliance
certification processes, evaluates compliance certification processes
for health information technology and assesses its effect on health
information technology implementation.
C. Office of Interoperability and Standards (ARC): The Office of
Interoperability and Standards (OIS) is headed by a Director. OIS works
with and coordinates with other offices in ONC and HHS to provide
leadership in the development and implementation of a nationwide
interoperable health information technology infrastructure and advance
the development, adoption, and implementation of interoperable health
information technology standards. Specifically, in coordination with
relevant HHS offices, OIS: (1) Fosters mechanisms that support the
secure and seamless exchange of health information, including the use
of standards, certified technology, and requirements for a nationwide
architecture; (2) manages the federal health architecture program
efforts and works with Federal agencies to ensure that Federal health
information systems are coordinated and interoperable with any
nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure;
(3) advances the development, adoption, and implementation of health
information technology standards nationally through collaboration among
public and private interests that are consistent with current efforts
of the Federal Government; (4) works with relevant HHS offices to
evaluate mechanisms for harmonizing security and privacy practices in
an interoperable health information technology architecture; and (5)
promotes the development of performance measures related to the
adoption of interoperable health information technology standards.
D. Office of Programs and Coordination (ARE): The Office of
Programs and Coordination (OPC) is headed by a Director. OPC ensures
complete integration of all efforts across ONC and supports the
dissemination and adoption of the Administration's policy on health
information technology. Specifically, in coordination with relevant HHS
offices, OPC: (1) Provides infrastructure and management support for
Secretary initiatives related to health information technology
including FACA and other advisory committees; (2) provides the
infrastructure support for health information technology programs to
coordinate interrelating activities including workgroups and
subcommittees; (3) monitors and measures all outcomes in support of
health information technology initiatives; and (4) develops and
coordinates with relevant HHS offices, including the Assistant
Secretary for Public Affairs, outreach campaigns to educate the public
about health information technology and its use of Web site materials,
and other documents regarding ONC activities.
E. Office of Policy and Research (ARF): The Office of Policy and
Research (OPR) is headed by a Director. The OPR coordinates with other
ONC offices and conducts studies in support of ongoing health
information technology and supports and coordinates efforts that inform
policy decisions related to health IT. Specifically, in coordination
with relevant HHS offices, OPR: (1) Ensures the smooth and efficient
implementation of policies under the direction of the National
Coordinator; (2) supports efforts to determine to what extent health
information technology affects public and private business practices;
(3) identifies privacy and
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security issues related to a nationwide health information technology
infrastructure and strategies to ensure that patients' individually
identifiable health information is secure and protected; (4) leads
health information technology research efforts for ONC to help inform
policy decisions and conducts key technical, scientific, economic,
statistical and other studies related to health information technology;
(5) develops procedures and pilot efforts for how medical knowledge can
be collected, validated and available at the point of care; (6)
facilitates discussions within HHS on the policy implications of key
health information technology activities, and supports the National
Coordinator in considering the policy implications of key health
information technology activities; and (7) provides specialized
technology and statistical expertise in support of policy proposal
analysis.
Dated: August 11, 2005.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-16446 Filed 8-18-05; 8:45 am]
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