Summary:
In July 2025, the Trump administration launched the “Making Health Tech Great Again” initiative to enhance health data interoperability, supported by over 60 providers, payers, and tech companies. The effort focuses on creating a CMS Interoperability Framework and CMS Aligned Networks to standardize electronic health information sharing. This initiative aims to improve patient-facing digital tools and streamline healthcare data exchange, addressing longstanding challenges in health IT interoperability.
What This Means for You:
- Patient Empowerment: Gain secure, transparent control over your medical data through apps integrated with CMS Aligned Networks.
- Improved Care Coordination: Expect faster access to medical records and reduced administrative hassles, such as eliminating paper forms.
- Advanced Health Tools: Access AI-driven health assistants and personalized guidance for conditions like diabetes and obesity.
- Future Considerations: Be aware of potential privacy gaps as data-sharing technologies evolve beyond current regulatory frameworks.
Original Post:
In July 2025, the Trump administration announced a new effort (“Making Health Tech Great Again”) towards health data interchange (referred to in this brief as “interoperability”). This announcement accompanied voluntary commitments from more than 60 providers, payers, and software companies—vendors of electronic health records (EHR) systems, health care analytics platforms, and those traditionally outside the realm of health care, such as artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The announcement focused on two concepts: establishing (1) a CMS “Interoperability Framework,” which refers to a set of criteria and other agreements; and (2) “CMS Aligned Networks,” which are networks of entities that voluntarily agree to adhere to the Interoperability Framework and other agreements that support a standardized system to share information electronically. The new ecosystem would serve users—including providers, health insurance plans (“payers”), and patients—who would connect through applications (or “apps”) or other software. These efforts are intended to facilitate more seamless sharing of health information between these users and to increase the availability of patient-facing digital health tools. This issue brief examines the new initiative, provides an overview of key health information technology (IT) laws and regulations, and highlights some challenges to health data interoperability.
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People Also Ask About:
- What is health data interoperability? Health data interoperability refers to the ability of different systems and organizations to securely share and use health information seamlessly.
- Why is the CMS Interoperability Framework important? It standardizes health data exchange, improving care coordination and patient access to digital health tools.
- How does interoperability benefit patients? Patients can access their medical records easily, reduce paperwork, and use advanced health apps for better care.
- What are the challenges of health data interoperability? Key challenges include privacy concerns, regulatory gaps, and the complexity of integrating diverse systems.
- What roles do AI companies play in interoperability? AI companies develop tools like conversational assistants that enhance patient engagement and data accessibility.
Expert Opinion:
The CMS Interoperability Framework represents a significant step toward a more connected healthcare system, but its success hinges on addressing privacy concerns and ensuring widespread adoption. As AI and digital tools become more integrated into healthcare, policymakers must balance innovation with robust data protection measures to maintain patient trust.
Key Terms:
- Health data interoperability
- CMS Interoperability Framework
- Electronic health records (EHR)
- AI in healthcare
- Patient-facing digital health tools
- Healthcare data sharing standards
- CMS Aligned Networks
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