ONC Head Touts Interoperability Wins, Poses AI Questions

Micky Tripathi, Ph.D., National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, touted the Biden administration’s progress on implementing regulations mandating the interoperability of health care systems and price transparency during a Feb. 22 Health Affairs event. He also described himself as an “AI optimist,” but emphasized the administration’s position that artificial intelligence tools must not exacerbate or worsen health inequities. 

With increasing interoperability and EHR adoption, Tripathi said, the Biden administration expects that providers, health plans and public health officials will be able to make smarter decisions using population health data. They will also have to meet standards set by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to comply with quality measures used by CMS, among other organizations, Tripathi said. He also said that a focus on health equity is a key consideration in recent regulations governing AI.