HHS ASTP Meeting Highlights Image Exchange, AI Innovation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ASTP/ONC) convened its annual meeting Feb 11-12. Thomas Keane, MD, MBA, an interventional radiologist who heads the agency, gave the keynote address. Assistant Secretary Keane highlighted progress toward ASTP/ONC’s three policy priorities: data liquidity, healthcare affordability and access, and technological advancement — including efforts to address regulatory and economic issues that prevent the adoption of AI in clinical practice. ASTP/ONC recognized prior ACR® efforts to advance image exchange and interoperability during the meeting.

ACR joined government leaders and industry partners to ask questions related to several HHS comment opportunities, including a request for information (RFI) that seeks input on clinical AI regulation, reimbursement, and research and development to advance AI use in patient care; a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which will update ASTP/ONC’s health IT certification program and information blocking rules; and an RFI seeking input on interoperability standards and certification for diagnostic image exchange. ACR is preparing comments for each of these opportunities.

If you have questions about the ASTP/ONC annual meeting or the comment opportunities, contact Lindsay Robbins, ACR Regulatory Policy Specialist.