[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 148 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42412-42413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3768]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information 
Technology; American Health Information Community; Announcement of 
Public Comment Period About the Design and Implementation of the 
American Health Information Community Successor

SUMMARY: This notice announces a public comment period, from August 6, 
2007 to August 31, 2007, to collect input about ideas for the design 
and implementation of a successor entity for the American Health 
Information Community (AHIC) as described in the American Health 
Information Community Successor White paper, July 2007 (available on 
the Web at http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/community/background/AHICsuccessor. html on or after July 31, 2007).
    The ANIC is a federally-chartered advisory committee that provides 
input and recommendations to the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) on how to make health records digital and interoperable, 
and how to assure that the privacy and security of those records are 
protected. The charter of the AHIC requires that its responsibilities 
be transferred to a successor entity. Therefore, HHS and the AHIC are 
embarking upon a project that will take the AHIC to the next level. The 
successor entity will be an independent, sustainable public-private 
partnership that brings together the best of the public and private 
sectors. This

[[Page 42413]]

new public-private partnership will develop a unified approach to 
realize an effective, interoperable nationwide health information 
system that supports the health and well-being of the people of this 
country. The input from this public comment period will be used to 
inform the plans for transitioning the locus of activity from a Federal 
advisory committee to a independent public-private partnership.
    HHS and the AHIC are eager to hear the thoughts of your 
organization with respect to the AHIC successor entity. To facilitate 
your participation in this process, you are encouraged to provide your 
comments organized by the following concepts:

     Purpose and scope of the successor entity
     Membership, including classes and sectors
     Governing body and decision-making process
     Protections, incorporation, management, and staffing
     Value of participation in the successor entity for 
stakeholders

    All comments in any format will be accepted.

DATES: Comments should be received by the Office of the National 
Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and 
Human Services, on or before 5 p.m. EST on August 31, 2007.

ADDRESSES: electronic responses are preferred and may be recorded via 
the Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/commhnity/background/AHICsuccessor.html or may be sent via e-mail addressed to 
[email protected] in the Office of the National Coordinator for 
Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services. 
Please include ``AHIC Successor White Paper Comments'' in the subject 
line.
    Paper-based responses will also be accepted. Please send to: Office 
of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, 
Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: AHIC Successor 
White Paper Comments, Mary C. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW., Room 
4080, Washington, DC 20201, or fax to (202) 690-6079, Attention: AHIC 
Successor White Paper Comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Visit http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/community/background/AHICsuccessor.html.

    Dated: July 27, 2007.
Michelle Murray,
Office of Programs and Coordination, Office of the National Coordinator 
for Health Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 07-3768 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-24-M