HHS reorganizes for coordination across health data policy

HHS has announced a reorganization that aims to streamline strategy and policy across technology, cybersecurity, data and AI.

HHS has historically distributed responsibility for policy and operations across the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA), the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and ONC.

The restructuring will consolidate these functions as follows:

• ONC will be renamed the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC).
• Policy and strategy oversight of technology, data and AI will move from ASA to ASTP/ONC, including the HHS-wide roles of chief technology officer, chief data officer and chief AI officer.
• The 405(d) Program, a public-private cybersecurity effort between the healthcare sector and the federal government, will move from ASA to ASPR, joining the other health sector cybersecurity activities in ASPR's Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection.

"Cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence are some of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare space today," Xavier Becerra, HHS secretary, said in a press release. "As a Department, HHS must be agile, accountable, and strategic to meet the needs of this moment.

"For decades, HHS has worked across the organization to ensure appropriate and safe use of technology, data, and AI to advance the health and well-being of the American people," he added. "This reorganization builds on that success and prepares the Department for the challenges that lie ahead."

While the office will continue as a staff division within HHS, ASTP/ONC will have increased responsibilities to support the office's broader mission, reflecting new staff and funding transitioning to the division.

ASTP/ONC will establish an Office of the Chief Technology Officer and reinstitute the role of chief technology officer, which will oversee department-level and cross-agency technology, data, and AI strategy and policy, including the Office of the Chief AI Officer, Office of the Chief Data Officer and a new Office of Digital Services.

The chief AI officer will be tasked with the following:

• Set AI policy and strategy for the department.
• Establish internal governance, policies, and risk management approaches for the internal use of AI by HHS.
• Coordinate HHS's AI strategy in the health and human services sectors.
• Support the safe and appropriate use of AI technologies and tools across the department.
• Coordinate AI-related talent and training programs.

The chief data officer will have the following responsibilities:

• Continue to oversee data governance and policy development.
• Drive data literacy and data talent initiatives.
• Manage HHS data strategy.
• Support data collaboration and exchange.
• Manage HHS's data as a strategic asset for the department.

National coordinator Micky Tripathi will be named assistant secretary for technology policy/national coordinator for health IT.

Tripathi has also been named the department's acting chief AI officer in response to the President's Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI.

ASTP/ONC has launched a search to fill the permanent positions of chief technology officer, chief AI officer and chief data officer. ASTP/ONC will host a webinar about these opportunities on August 1, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET. Interested parties can register here.

"ONC already plays a critical role in health IT across our agencies and with industry," said Andrea Palm, HHS deputy secretary. "This reorganization builds on those capabilities to advance all our strategic, mission-focused technology, data and AI policies and activities."

"These organizational changes will ensure that HHS is best situated to serve the American people during this incredibly dynamic time in the technology space," Palm continued.

Hannah Nelson has been covering news related to health information technology and health data interoperability since 2020.