ONC Office Reorganized: Chief Scientist, Chief Privacy Officer, and Economic Modeling & Analysis Office to be Added–Org Chart Below
Federal Register announced reorganization of Office of National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT on December 1, 2009, to more closely align its structure with HITECH Act. The Chief Privacy Officer will be appointed directly by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The new structure has five offices under the immediate Office of National Coordinator:
Office of Economic Modeling and Analysis
Revised officially to Office of Economic Analysis and Modeling in Federal Register Notice 8/13/2010.
“(1) Applies advanced mathematical or quantitative modeling to the U.S. health care system for simulating the microeconomic and macroeconomic effects of investing in health information technology and
(2) provides advanced policy analysis of health information technology strategies and policies to the National Coordinator.
Such modeling will be used with varying public policy scenarios to perform advanced health care policy analysis for requirements of the Recovery Act, such as reductions in health care costs resulting from adoption and use of health information technology. The results of these analyses provided to the National Coordinator will inform strategies to enhance the use of health information technology in improving the quality and efficiency of health care and improving public health.”
Office of the Chief Scientist
“The Office of the Chief Scientist is headed by the Chief Scientist. The Office of the Chief Scientist is responsible for:
(1) Applying research methodologies to perform evaluation studies of health information technology grant programs;
(2) identifying, tracking and supporting innovations in health information technology;
(3) leading research activities mandated under the HITECH Act provisions of ARRA;
(4) promoting applications of health information technology that support basic and clinical research;
(5) collecting and communicating knowledge of health care informatics from and to international audiences;
(6) collaborating with other agencies and departments on assessments of new health information technology programs; and
(7) developing and maintaining educational programs for staff of the Office of the National Coordinator and advising the National Coordinator concerning the educational needs of the field of HIT.
The Office of the Chief Scientist possesses and utilizes specialized knowledge of medical bioinformatics, which involves the study and application of advanced information methods and technologies in support of health care and population health.”
Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy
“The Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy is headed by the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy. The Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs & Policy is responsible for:
(1) Implementing and overseeing grant programs that advance the nation toward universal meaningful use of interoperable health information technology in support of health care and population health;
(2) coordinating among HHS agencies and offices and among relevant executive branch agencies and the public health information technology programs and policies to avoid duplication of efforts and inconsistent activities;
(3) developing the mechanisms for establishing and implementing standards necessary for nationwide health information exchange;
(4) formulating policy for the privacy and security of health information;
(5) developing policies as may be otherwise necessary for implementing its mission; and
(6) maintaining a Federal Health IT Strategic Plan.”
Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Operations
“The Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Operations is headed by the Deputy National Coordinator for Operations. The Office of the Deputy National Coordinator for Operations is responsible for performing the activities that support the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s numerous programs. These include:
(1) Budget formulation and execution;
(2) contracts and grants management;
(3) facilities management;
(4) human resources;
(5) stakeholder communications; and
(6) financial and human capital strategic planning.”
Office of the Chief Privacy Officer
“The Office of the Chief Privacy Officer is headed by the Chief Privacy Officer, who advises the National Coordinator as directed by the ARRA. The Chief Privacy Officer may also report to other individuals, as necessary. The Chief Privacy Officer of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will be appointed by the Secretary. The Office of the Chief Privacy Officer is responsible for:
(1) advising the National Coordinator on privacy, security, and data stewardship of electronic health information and
(2) coordinating the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s efforts with similar privacy officers in other Federal agencies, State and regional agencies, and foreign countries with regard to the privacy, security, and data stewardship of electronic, individually identifiable health information.”
Original Offices
The reorganization affects all four of the original Director-level offices:
Office of Health Information Technology Adoption (OHITA);
Office of Interoperability and Standards (OIS);
Office of Programs and Coordination (OPC); and
Office of Policy and Research (OPR).
The new organizational statement was signed by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on November 20, 2009.
See Background Web Page from ONC Office for full description of offices. Chart below was taken from this revised ONC page.
