[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60903-60905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16571]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority; Office of The National Coordinator for Health Information 
Technology

    The Department of Health and Human Services is reorganizing the 
role and function of the Assistant Secretary for Administration to move 
technology and data policy and strategy functions from that office to 
the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
    Under this reorganization, technology and data policy and strategy 
functions are moving from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration (ASA) to the Office of the National Coordinator for 
Health IT (ONC), including moving the Office of the Chief Data Officer, 
Office of the Chief AI Officer, and a newly recreated Chief Technology 
Officer. ONC would be dually titled to the Assistant Secretary for 
Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health 
Information Technology.
    Part A, Office of the Secretary, Statement of Organization, 
Functions, and Delegations of Authority for the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Chapter AR, Office of the National Coordinator for 
Health Information Technology (ONC), as last amended at 83 FR 19289 
(May 2, 2018), 79 FR 31941 (June 3, 2014), 77 FR 29349--50 (May 17, 
2012), 76 FR 65196 (Oct. 20, 2011), 76 FR 6795 (Feb. 8, 2011), 75 FR 
49494 (Aug. 13, 2010), 74 FR 62785-86 (Dec. 1, 2009), 70 FR 48718-03 
(Aug. 19, 2005) is amended. The prior Federal Register Notice is 
amended as follows:
    I. Under AR.10, Organization, delete all of components and replace 
with the following:

A. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/
National Coordinator (ARA)
B. Office of Policy (ARI)
C. Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis (ARC)
D. Office of the Chief Operating Officer (ARE)
E. Office of the Chief Technology Officer

    II. Delete AR.20, Functions, in its entirety and replace with the 
following:

Section AR.20, Functions

    A. Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology 
Policy/National Coordinator: The Immediate Office (IO) is headed by the 
Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (dually titled as the 
National Coordinator for Health IT) (henceforth referred to as the 
Assistant Secretary), who provides leadership and executive and 
strategic direction for the dually titled Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for 
Health IT (henceforth referred to as ASTP). The Assistant Secretary is 
responsible for carrying out ASTP's mission and implementing the 
functions of the organization. The IO/ASTP (1) advances the 
interoperability of health information as central and foundational to 
the core mission of HHS to enhance and protect the health and well-
being of all Americans; (2) ensures that health information technology 
initiatives for health and human services are coordinated across HHS 
programs, including aligning health information technology investments; 
(3) ensures that the health information technology policy and programs 
of HHS are coordinated with those of relevant executive branch agencies 
(including Federal commissions and advisory committees) with a goal of 
avoiding duplication of effort and of helping to ensure that each 
agency undertakes activities primarily within the areas of its greatest 
expertise and technical capability; (4) leads the efforts to promulgate 
health IT regulations that advance interoperability across the entire 
health care sector, including across behavioral health, human services, 
and public health sectors ; (5) leads Federal and industry efforts to 
advance the access, exchange, and use of health information across the 
healthcare sector.
    The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/
Principal Deputy National Coordinator (henceforth referred to as the 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary), a part of the IO, works with and 
reports directly to the Assistant Secretary and is responsible for 
supporting the Assistant Secretary in day-to-day operations and 
strategy for ASTP, and staff management of the organization. The 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary serves as the Principal Deputy 
National Coordinator and is a career senior executive service position 
that in conjunction with the Assistant Secretary provides executive 
oversight for the activities of ASTP offices.
    The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Deputy 
National Coordinator (henceforth referred to as the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary) works with and reports directly to the Assistant Secretary. 
The Deputy Assistant Secretary serves as the Chief Operating Officer 
and is a career senior executive service position. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary is responsible for day-to-day operations and strategy for 
ASTP agency-wide business management functions as well as providing 
executive oversight in conjunction with the Assistant Secretary and 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary.
    a. Office of Policy: The Office of Policy is headed by an Associate 
Deputy Assistant Secretary who serves as the Executive Director of the 
Office of Policy. The Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary/Executive 
Director of the Office of Policy is a career senior executive service 
position. This office is responsible for: (1) policy and rulemaking 
activities, including implementation of provisions included in the 
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act 
(HITECH) and the 21st Century Cures Act; (2) ASTP's domestic and global 
policy initiatives; (3) coordination with executive branch agencies, 
Federal commissions, advisory committees, and external partners; (4) 
advanced analysis and the establishment of health information 
technology policies for ASTP and the Department to support health and 
human services initiatives, including in the areas of behavioral 
health, care transformation, health IT investment alignment, human 
services, information blocking, interoperability, privacy and security, 
and quality improvement; and (5) operation of the Health Information 
Technology Advisory Committee established in the 21st Century Cures 
Act.
    b. Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis: The Office of 
Standards, Certification, and Analysis is headed by an Associate Deputy 
Assistant Secretary who serves as the Executive Director of the Office 
of Standards, Certification, and Analysis. The Associate Deputy 
Assistant Secretary/Executive Director of the Office of Standards, 
Certification, and Analysis is a career senior executive service 
position.
    This office is responsible for (1) executing provisions included in 
the HITECH Act and the 21st Century Cures Act; (2) providing technical 
leadership and coordination within the health IT community to identify, 
evaluate, and influence the development of standards, implementation 
guidance, and best practices to advance nationwide interoperability for 
health and human services initiatives; (3) coordinating with Federal 
agencies and other public and private partners to implement and advance 
interoperability nationwide for health and human services initiatives; 
(4) leading the development of electronic testing tools, resources, and 
data to achieve interoperability,

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enhanced usability, and aid in the optimization of health IT; (5) 
administering the ASTP Health IT Certification Program, including the 
Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL); and (6) leading ASTP's 
technical interoperability interests and investments to advance the 
development of innovative solutions for interoperability.
    D. The Office of the Chief Operating Officer: The Office of the 
Chief Operating Officer is headed by an Associate Deputy Assistant 
Secretary who serves as the Executive Director of the Office of the 
Chief Operating Officer. The Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary/
Executive Director of the Office of the Chief Operating Officer is a 
career senior executive service position. The Office of the Chief 
Operating Officer is responsible for: (1) managing enterprise risk and 
formulating solutions to ensure ASTP has the resources to achieve its 
mission and goals; (2) ensuring fiscal integrity and adherence to 
federal laws and regulations; (3) providing centralized, agency-wide 
strategy and services including: budget and financial management; 
grants management; acquisitions management; human capital; information 
technology; cybersecurity; facilities management; ethics; and records 
management.
    E. Office of the Chief Technology Officer: The Office of the Chief 
Technology Officer is headed by an Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary 
who serves as the Chief Technology Officer. The Associate Deputy 
Assistant Secretary/Chief Technology Officer is a career senior 
executive service position. The Office of the Chief Technology Officer 
includes the Office of the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and 
the Office of the Chief Data Officer. This office is responsible for: 
(1) implementing the HITECH Act and 21st Century Cures Act; (2) leading 
HHS-wide digital strategy and digital services and project teams for 
health and human services programs; (3) developing and leading HHS-wide 
data policy, including program strategies, stewardship, and privacy and 
security initiatives; (4) anticipating key technology and data policy 
needs in cross-agency and external mission areas in order to 
proactively respond to industry changes; (5) providing strategic 
leadership to health and human services initiatives and the industry at 
large on novel technologies, including ethical, legal, and social 
matters; (6) coordinating and facilitating a culture of innovation 
within HHS programs that encourages experimentation, supports research 
and development efforts, and promotes the adoption of new technologies.
    III. Delegation of Authority.
    Pending further delegation, directives, or orders by the Secretary 
or by the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/National 
Coordinator all delegations and redelegations of authority made to 
officials and employees of affected organizational components will 
continue in them or their successors pending further redelegations, 
provided they are consistent with this reorganization.

Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
BILLING CODE 4150-24-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN29JY24.007

[FR Doc. 2024-16571 Filed 7-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-24-C