Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a reorganization aimed at streamlining and enhancing its technology, cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and policy functions.
In recent years, opportunities in data and technology within healthcare and human services have significantly increased. Historically, the responsibility for policy and operations has been distributed across the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The reorganization will clarify and consolidate these critical functions as follows:
ONC will be renamed the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC). Oversight over technology, data, and AI policy and strategy will move from ASA to ASTP/ONC, including HHS-wide roles such as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Data Officer, and Chief AI Officer. The public-private effort between the health sector and federal government on cybersecurity (“405(d) Program”) will move from ASA to ASPR. This change aligns with other health sector cybersecurity activities already located in ASPR’s Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection.
“Cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence are some of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare space today. As a Department, HHS must be agile, accountable, and strategic to meet the needs of this moment,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “For decades, HHS has worked across the organization to ensure appropriate and safe use of technology, data, and AI to advance the health and well-being of the American people. This reorganization builds on that success and prepares the Department for the challenges that lie ahead.”
While continuing as a staff division within HHS, ASTP/ONC will have increased responsibilities reflecting new staff additions and funding transitioning into the division. ASTP/ONC will establish an Office of the Chief Technology Officer to oversee department-level technology strategy including offices dedicated to AI, data management, digital services.
The Chief AI Officer's responsibilities include setting AI policy for HHS; establishing internal governance policies; coordinating AI approaches in health sectors; supporting safe use of AI technologies; managing AI-related talent initiatives.
The Chief Data Officer's duties encompass overseeing data governance; driving data literacy initiatives; managing HHS's data strategy; supporting data collaboration; treating HHS’s data as a strategic asset.
National Coordinator Micky Tripathi will be named Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. In response to an Executive Order on Safe AI by President Biden, Tripathi has also been named Acting Chief AI Officer. ASTP/ONC is actively searching for permanent positions of Chief Technology Officer, Chief AI Officer, Chief Data Officer. A webinar about these opportunities is scheduled on August 1 at 12:00 pm ET.
“ONC already plays a critical role in health IT across our agencies with industry,” said HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. “These organizational changes will ensure that HHS is best situated to serve during this dynamic time in technology.”
Additional information can be found on Federal Register.
