The federal government unveiled a health IT strategy to improve patient care, drive innovation, and expand access to digital health technologies.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized the 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. This strategy sets a course for the future of health information technology (health IT). This comprehensive strategy, guided by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, focuses on leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery for local communities.
The plan outlines four key goals that will shape federal initiatives in the coming years:
- Promote Health and Wellness: The plan empowers communities with technology to support healthier populations through enhanced public health initiatives.
- Enhance Care Delivery and Experience: The strategy uses electronic health information to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered.
- Accelerate Research and Innovation: Health IT will drive research and support new treatments, including the growing use of AI in healthcare.
- Connect the Health System with Health Data: Improved data access and interoperability help healthcare providers make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Another critical aspect of the plan is its focus on improving data quality for AI-driven technologies. From the press release:
“Now more than ever, equitable and affordable broadband connectivity is increasingly critical to ensuring that all Americans can get well and stay healthy. The latest Federal Health IT Strategic Plan recognizes how our health system can benefit from cutting-edge communications infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas—enabling us to better engage individuals, their caregivers, and physicians across the care continuum and drive high-quality care, while lowering cost,” said Michele Ellison, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) general counsel and chair of the agency’s Connect2Health Task Force.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan aims to leverage technology to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and expand access to quality care.
