Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that oversees the development, implementation, and use of health information technology (HIT) and the electronic exchange of health information. The ONC was established in 2004 by Executive Order 13335 during the presidency of George W. Bush, with the aim of promoting the adoption of health information technology in the U.S. healthcare system to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the ONC is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through the use of technology and health information that is accessible when and where it matters most. Its goals include the promotion of nationwide health information exchange to improve healthcare, the advancement of the use of health IT to improve healthcare quality, the protection of health information privacy and security, and the fostering of innovation in health IT.

Programs and Initiatives

The ONC has initiated several programs to advance its mission, including:

• The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The HITECH Act aimed to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and supporting technology in the U.S.
• The Promoting Interoperability Programs (formerly known as the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs), which provide financial incentives for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
• The development of health IT standards and policies to ensure that health information is securely and efficiently exchanged across different health care settings.
• Initiatives to support the adoption of health IT in rural and underserved areas.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its achievements, the ONC has faced challenges and criticisms, including concerns about the usability and interoperability of EHR systems, the slow pace of achieving nationwide health information exchange, and issues related to privacy and security of health information.

Leadership

The ONC is led by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, who is appointed by the Secretary of HHS. The National Coordinator oversees the formulation of federal health IT policy and the implementation of the ONC's programs and initiatives.

Impact

The work of the ONC has significantly impacted the U.S. healthcare system by promoting the adoption and meaningful use of health IT. This has led to improvements in healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. However, ongoing efforts are required to address the challenges of interoperability, privacy, and security to fully realize the benefits of health IT.