[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 19562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9838]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information 
Technology

ACTION: Notification of the Establishment of the HIT Standards 
Committee.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the establishment of the HIT Standards 
Committee. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) 
(Pub. L. 111-5), section 13101, directs the establishment of the HIT 
Standards Committee. The HIT Standards Committee (also referred to as 
the ``Committee'') is charged with making recommendations to the 
National Coordinator on standards, implementation specifications, and 
certification criteria for the electronic exchange and use of health 
information for purposes of adoption, consistent with the 
implementation of the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, and in 
accordance with policies developed by the HIT Policy Committee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith Sparrow, Office of the National 
Coordinator for Health Information Technology, e-mail 
[email protected] or 202-205-4528.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Committee and its staff are governed by the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended, (5 
U.S.C. App.), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of 
federal advisory committees.
    The Committee shall determine a schedule of meetings following an 
election of a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among its 
members. An initial meeting of the Committee shall take place not later 
than 90 days from passage of the ARRA.

II. Criteria for Members

    The HIT Standards Committee shall not exceed thirty (30) voting 
members, including a Chair and Vice Chair, and members are appointed by 
the Secretary with input from the National Coordinator. Membership of 
the Committee shall at least reflect providers, ancillary healthcare 
workers, consumers, purchasers, health plans, technology vendors, 
researchers, relevant Federal agencies, and individuals with technical 
expertise on health care quality, privacy and security, and on the 
electronic exchange and use of health information and shall represent a 
balance among various sectors of the health care system so that no 
single sector unduly influences the recommendations of the Committee.
    Non-Federal members of the Committee shall be Special Government 
Employees, unless classified as representatives.

III. Copies of the Charter

    To obtain a copy of the Committee's charter, submit a written 
request to the above contact.

    Dated: April 23, 2009.
David Blumenthal,
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Office of the 
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
[FR Doc. E9-9838 Filed 4-24-09; 4:15 pm]
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