HHS Reorganization: Restoration of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a formal reorganization notice reversing a prior structural change that had merged ONC under the broader 'Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy' management title. ONC is restored as a standalone, singularly titled office reporting directly within HHS leadership. The roles of HHS Chief Technology Officer, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, and Chief Data Officer are removed from ONC's scope. ONC's new structure consists of three components: (A) the Immediate Office of the National Coordinator, (B) the Office of Programs and Implementation, and (C) the Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis. Each is headed by a career Senior Executive Service official. The National Coordinator retains top authority, supported by a Principal Deputy National Coordinator and a Chief Operating Officer. The Office of Programs and Implementation will handle policy, rulemaking, information blocking, interoperability, behavioral health IT, and advisory committee support under the HITECH Act and 21st Century Cures Act. The Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis will oversee health IT standards development, the ONC Health IT Certification Program, the Certified Health IT Product List, and electronic testing tools. All existing delegations of authority to affected officials remain in effect provided they are consistent with the new structure. The notice was signed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and takes effect as of the April 1, 2026 Federal Register publication.
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Key Changes
- The 'Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy' management title is eliminated and removed from HHS leadership structure, effective April 1, 2026.
- ONC is restored as a standalone office with three sub-units: Immediate Office of the National Coordinator (ARA), Office of Programs and Implementation (ARI), and Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis (ARC).
- Roles of HHS Chief Technology Officer, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, and Chief Data Officer are removed from ONC's organizational scope.
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Obligations
What this law requires
ONC must restore and maintain three distinct organizational components: (A) Immediate Office of the National Coordinator, (B) Office of Programs and Implementation, and (C) Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis, each headed by a career Senior Executive Service official
Remove HHS Chief Technology Officer, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, and Chief Data Officer roles and responsibilities from ONC's organizational scope
Office of Programs and Implementation must implement policy and rulemaking activities under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) and the 21st Century Cures Act
Office of Programs and Implementation must provide operational support for the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee established in the 21st Century Cures Act
Office of Standards, Certification, and Analysis must administer the ONC Health IT Certification Program and maintain the Certified Health IT Product List