Ashley Thompson, senior vice president of the American Hospital Association's public policy analysis and development effort, submitted a letter to B. Vindell Washington, MD, national coordinator for health IT, regarding ONC's drafted 2017 Interoperability Standards Advisory.
The letter, written on behalf of AHA, asks ONC to clarify the metrics it uses to assess readiness standards. AHA suggested that ONC disseminate information about the use of interoperability standards, provide additional details on how the office distinguishes mature from emerging standards and expand upon the office's standards and implementation specifications.
AHA also encouraged ONC to work with CMS when tracking progress on care planning projects, to ensure the effort is consistent with CMS' final rule.