On April 27, 2004, President Bush signed Govt Order (EO) 13335 and created the Workplace of the Nationwide Coordinator for Well being IT (ONC). Like tapping that first domino, this single motion is a key second in United States well being IT historical past. Practically twenty years later, US coverage and expertise management in well being IT is world-renowned.
All through this time, ONC has remained true to the 4 unique duties solid by EO 13335 (paraphrased):
- function the Secretary’s principal advisor on the event, software, and use of well being IT;
- be sure that well being data expertise coverage and applications of the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) are coordinated with these of related government department companies;
- coordinate outreach and session with private and non-private events; and
- present feedback and recommendation on well being IT on the request of the Workplace of Administration and Price range.
The previous 18 years has seen its share of outstanding, market-moving occasions, such because the passage of the HITECH Act (2009) and twenty first Century Cures Act (2016) in addition to main digital well being file (EHR) investments by HHS and the procurement of a industrial EHR system (ONC-certified, I’d add) by the Departments of Protection and Veterans Affairs. Add in massive monetary investments from the private and non-private sectors in addition to a major quantity of “sweat fairness” from supplier organizations and expertise builders and you may see why greater than 90 % of hospitals and practically the identical quantity of doctor practices now use EHR programs. This dramatic change in what’s arguably probably the most advanced sector of our financial system is a mammoth achievement.
Amidst these and different marquee moments, a couple of hundred previous and current employees have come by way of ONCs ranks with a easy goal in thoughts – to make the nation’s well being higher by way of using well being IT. And that’s what retains us going. Having began at ONC shortly after its first birthday, there have actually been months and years the place the headwinds felt robust. However we persevered. Whereas there isn’t a scarcity of labor to be completed, it’s additionally vital to take inventory of how far we’ve come. That’s a testomony to the entire nationwide coordinators (with whom I’ve had the privilege to serve) and the outstanding continuity they’ve supplied throughout administrations.
Thanks to everybody on the market who has ever submitted a public remark, participated in an advisory committee, attended an ONC occasion, or supported an ONC undertaking. We all know if we invited you all, it could be one heck of a celebration!
As we rejoice our 18th birthday, it’s with a continued sense of satisfaction, patriotism, and optimism about the way forward for well being.
