SDOs & Operating Rules Updates

ASTP Publishes HTI-2 TEFCA Final Rule. The Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy (ASTP) published its Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability (HTI-2) Final Rule on the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). ASTP states that HTI-2 Final Rule finalizes certain proposals related to TEFCA) from the HTI-2 Proposed Rule and seeks to advance interoperability and…

Several Key Health IT Rules Under Review by OMB. Several Health IT regulations are now under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Typically, review by OMB is the final stage before a regulation is published. Regulations under review include: “Proposed Modifications to the HIPAA Security Rule to Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Electronic…

OCR Settles HIPAA Ransomware Cybersecurity Investigation for $90,000. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with a provider of emergency medical services in Oklahoma for a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule. The settlement resolves an investigation concerning a ransomware attack on the provider’s…

OCR Settles Ransomware Cybersecurity Investigation for $500,000. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with a plastic surgery practice in South Dakota for several potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule, following an investigation into a ransomware attack breach. OCR initiated an investigation following the receipt of a breach report filed by the…

Assistant Secretary Tripathi Details Challenges with API Data Exchange. Micky Tripathi, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Health Technology, National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health It (ASTP ONC) detailed several challenges ASTP ONC has encountered in the nation’s drive toward leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs) to exchange health information, including: (i) Publicly accessible API…

ASTP ONC Finalizes Federal Health IT Strategy. The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP ONC) published the final 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan in accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH Act.) The Strategic Plan presents federal health information technology (health IT)…