Federal government initiates health data sharing program under Trump leadership
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an initiative to improve health data sharing, aiming to modernize the US healthcare system by establishing a unified digital health ecosystem [1][2][4]. This initiative, known as the CMS Interoperability Framework, seeks to partner with major healthcare and technology firms, including Amazon, Google, UnitedHealth, Epic, and over 60 other companies [2].
Eleven health systems, including Cleveland Clinic, Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Intermountain Health, have pledged to participate in this network, with a commitment to allow patients to retrieve their health data through the network or personal apps and share that information with providers [3]. Other firms, such as EHR and health IT vendors like Epic, Oracle Health, and athenahealth, have pledged to become CMS Aligned Networks [4].
The initiative focuses on encouraging adoption of the CMS Interoperability Framework and increasing the availability of digital health tools. It aims to deliver results for the American people in the first quarter of next year [2]. The Framework sets standards for data sharing that these partners must meet to participate in the ecosystem, adopting interoperable data exchange protocols based on standardized technologies such as FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) [2][3][4].
The goal is to create a seamless integration of data across systems, reducing provider burden and enhancing care coordination and value-based healthcare delivery [2][3][4]. The CMS Interoperability Framework is voluntary and market-friendly, designed to promote alignment and execution without adding new regulatory burdens [1][4]. Networks and technology platforms self-attest to meeting the criteria and can be reviewed if suspected of non-compliance [1].
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, a governance framework for information exchange, went live after years of effort in late 2023 [5]. This framework, along with the CMS Interoperability Framework, is expected to address the long-term challenge of interoperability and information sharing in the healthcare sector, which has been hindered by siloed data and reliance on dated technology like fax machines [6].
The CMS Interoperability Framework is a call to action for health data networks that want to move faster, aiming to transform the US healthcare system through real-time, standardized, and patient-centered data exchange beginning Q1 2026 [2][4]. The era of personalized, precision medicine is upon us, according to Shaye Mandle, executive director of AdvaMed's Digital Health Tech division [7]. AdvaMed, an influential medtech lobbying group, has praised the health data sharing initiative [8].
Thirty companies, including Google, Apple, and Samsung, have joined the initiative to improve health outcomes with technology [9]. These health systems plan to accept patient information through digital tools to help "kill the clipboard" - or stop requiring patients to fill out medical histories on paper before visits [10]. The CMS didn't respond to a request for comment by press time on how the latest data sharing initiative will interact with TEFCA [11].
[1] https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-interoperability-and-patient-access-final-rule [2] https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-interoperability-and-patient-access-final-rule-fact-sheet [3] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/11-health-systems-pledge-participate-networks-support-cms-interoperability-framework [4] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/cms-interoperability-framework-encourages-adoption-digital-health-tools [5] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/trusted-exchange-framework-common-agreement-goes-live-after-years-effort [6] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/siloed-data-remains-problem-healthcare-sector [7] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/cms-interoperability-framework-aims-encourage-adoption-digital-health-tools [8] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/advamed-praises-health-data-sharing-initiative [9] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/thirty-companies-join-initiative-improve-health-outcomes-technology [10] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/health-systems-plan-accept-patient-information-digital-tools [11] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/cms-didnt-respond-request-comment-how-latest-data-sharing-initiative-will
- The CMS Interoperability Framework, a market-friendly initiative, is designed to promote alignment and execution in the healthcare sector, aiming to modernize the US healthcare system by establishing a unified digital health ecosystem.
- The Framework sets standards for data sharing that partners must meet to participate, adopting interoperable data exchange protocols based on standardized technologies like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources).
- Eleven major health systems and over 60 other companies, including Amazon, Google, UnitedHealth, Epic, and Cleveland Clinic, have pledged to partner and participate in this network.
- The goal is to create a seamless integration of data across systems, reducing provider burden, enhancing care coordination, and delivering value-based healthcare.
- AdvaMed, an influential medtech lobbying group, has praised the health data sharing initiative, believing it will transform the US healthcare system through real-time, standardized, and patient-centered data exchange.
- Thirty companies, including Google, Apple, and Samsung, have joined the initiative to improve health outcomes with technology, planning to accept patient information through digital tools.
- The latest data sharing initiative is expected to address the long-term challenge of interoperability and information sharing in the healthcare sector, which has been hindered by siloed data and reliance on dated technology like fax machines.
