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Welcome to the OHA’s Health Information Technology (IT) eNewsletter! Here you will find updates on health IT in Oregon and at the federal level. For a deeper dive into health IT in Oregon, check out the Policy and Program Updates. If there are specific items you would like to see in this newsletter, please send ideas to HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
August Meeting
HITOC’s next meeting is August 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be virtual. Members will review major themes and takeaways from their June retreat and discuss actions to take for health IT and behavioral health. Members will also learn about the current state of health IT for patients and consumers and receive updates on the work of House Bill 2940.
As always, a public comment period will be available: refer to the meeting agenda for times or email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
OHA is in the process of implementing the program outlined in Oregon House Bill 2940 (2025), which aims to provide real-time notifications to hospital emergency departments (EDs) identifying patients with hemoglobinopathies, like sickle cell disease, and offering contact information for a hematologist. Knowing a patient has a hemoglobinopathy in the ED allows staff to anticipate potential complications, prioritize rapid pain management, and tailor treatment plans accordingly.
The program will utilize the PointClickCare Emergency Department Information Exchange (EDIE) technology platform to send ED notifications. To ensure the successful implementation of this program, OHA will consult with key partners in August and September of 2025. OHA is currently seeking consultations with the following types of healthcare providers:
- Emergency department nurses
- Hematologists
- Hematology nurses
- Emergency medical technicians
- Paramedics
OHA will host an EDIE Overview webinar to ground consultation participants in EDIE functionalities and workflows on August 12, 2025 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM.
Providers and organizations interested in consulting with OHA and attending the HB 2940 EDIE Overview webinar should email OHA health IT staff at HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov and reference “HB 2940 consultation.”
Monitoring Federal Changes and Impacts on Oregon
OHA launched a webpage that lists some of the latest information about federal policy changes and their potential impacts on Oregon. Visit the webpage to learn more.
Individuals’ Access to and Use of Patient Portals and Smartphone Health Apps
The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (hereafter ASTP/ONC) recently released a Data Brief that shows patients are increasingly accessing their medical records online. Spurred in part by implementation of ASTP/ONC’s Cures Act Final Rule requirements, the rapid growth in patient access, especially app-based access, is continuing to rise. The Buzz Blog post and associated Data Brief and Quickstat charts show trends in rates and frequency of access, as well as greater engagement with electronic health information using tools available in patient portals.
USCDI v6
The United States Core Data for Interoperability Version 6 (USCDI v6) is now available. USCDI v6 includes an updated list of data classes and elements that seek to advance interoperability for patient care. The ASTP/ONC Standards Bulletin 2025-2 (SB25-2) outlines the development of the United States Core Data for Interoperability Version 6 (USCDI v6), which was released on July 24, 2025.
The USCDI sets the foundation for access, exchange, and use of electronic health information with the goal of enabling nationwide interoperable health information exchange. The USCDI standard is stewarded and adopted by ASTP/ONC on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
CMS Launches Health Technology Ecosystem Initiative
CMS hosted an event on July 30, 2025 promoting the launch of a Health Technology Ecosystem Initiative, which will focus on two broad areas: promoting a CMS Interoperability Framework for sharing information between patients and providers, and increasing the availability of personalized tools so that patients have the information and resources they need to make better health decisions. The CMS initiative website includes organizations who have pledged their support for this initiative. Participation in the initiative is voluntary. More details about the initiative can be found here.
ASTP/ONC Publishes HTI-4 Final Rule
ASTP/ONC’s final rule, released July 31, 2025, adds new certification criteria and related standards to the ONC Health IT Certification Program intended to enable the use of electronic health records to submit prior authorizations, select drugs consistent with a patient’s insurance coverage, and exchange prescription information electronically with pharmacies and insurers. ASTP/ONC is holding an information session on the HTI-4 Final Rule on Tuesday August 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET. Register for the session and find other resources about the final rule on the ASTP/ONC webpage.
USCDI v7 Submission Period
With the publication of USCDI v6, ASTP/ONC has begun the next cycle to update USCDI to Version 7. ASTP/ONC has updated the comment feature on the USCDI data element pages, making it easier to post comments on multiple data elements.
ASTP/ONC encourages the community to engage and collaborate. The open comment period ends Monday, September 29, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. The ONDEC submission system is open and accepting recommendations for data elements.
ASTP/ONC is targeting release of the Draft USCDI v7 for January 2026.
OHA Health IT Meetings/Events
Other Events
Federal Response – Forward Together Oregon Partner Webinar
Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) warmly invite you to an hour-long webinar that will provide an opportunity to connect with us and receive updates about federal changes impacting Oregon.
Details:
- September 30, 2025
- Virtual via Zoom
- 10 to 11 a.m. (Pacific Time)
Registration link:
What to expect:
- All participant microphones will be muted.
- There will be an option to submit written questions.
- This webinar will not be recorded.
- Materials shared during the webinar will be e-mailed to all registrants. You can also find information on the ODHS web page and the OHA web page. Questions? Email feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
- Spanish language and ASL Interpretation along with Real-time captioning (CART) will be available.
For people who speak or use a language other than English, people with disabilities or people who need additional support, we can provide free help. Some examples are:
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters
- Written materials in other languages
- Braille
- Real-time captioning (CART)
- Large print
- Virtual platform change
- Audio and other formats
This meeting will be virtual-only. This meeting will screen share and use PowerPoint slides.
Please contact Fabiola Herrera at mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov or 503-979-6984 (voice or text), at least 48 hours before the start of the webinar to request an accommodation. We will make every effort to provide services requested after the 48-hour deadline. We accept all relay calls. If you need an accommodation, please contact us right away, even if you are only considering attending. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.
Respondiendo a Cambios Federales - Adelante Juntos Oregon Seminarios Web
El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (ODHS) y Oregon Health Authority (OHA) le invitan cordialmente a participar en un seminario web que durará una hora y ofrecerá la oportunidad de conectarse con nosotros y recibir actualizaciones sobre algunos cambios federales afectando a Oregon.
Detalles:
- Martes, 30 de septiembre del 2025
- Virtual por Zoom
- 10 a 11 a.m. (Hora del Pacífico)
Enlace de inscripción:
Qué puede esperar:
- Todos los micrófonos de los participantes estarán silenciados.
- Se podrán enviar preguntas por escrito.
- Este seminario web no será grabado.
- Los materiales compartidos durante el seminario web se enviarán por correo electrónico a todos los inscritos. También puede encontrar información en las páginas web de ODHS y OHA. ¿Preguntas? Envié un correo electrónico a feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
- El seminario web se llevará acabo en ingles con interpretación en español y ASL disponibles.
Para personas que hablan o usan un idioma distinto del inglés, personas con discapacidad o personas que necesitan apoyo adicional, podemos brindar ayuda gratuita. Algunos ejemplos son:
- Intérpretes de lengua de señas y hablada.
- Materiales escritos en otros idiomas.
- Subtítulos en tiempo real (CART).
- Letra grande.
- Cambio de plataforma virtual.
- Audio y otros formatos
Esta reunión será exclusivamente virtual. Se compartirá la pantalla y se usarán diapositivas de PowerPoint.
Para solicitar una adaptación, comuníquese con Fabiola Herrera en mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov o 503-979-6984 (voz o mensaje de texto), al menos 48 horas antes del inicio del seminario web. Haremos todo lo posible por atender las solicitudes recibidas después de las 48 horas antes del inicio del seminario web. Aceptamos todas las llamadas de retransmisión. Si necesita una adaptación, contáctenos de inmediato, incluso si solo está considerando asistir. Cuanto antes solicite, más probable será que podamos satisfacer su necesidad.
How to make public comment
OHA’s Health IT committee and workgroup meetings (i.e., HITOC, HITAG) are open to the public, and public comment is always welcome at the meeting during the specified time or in writing at any time. Public comment is an important part of OHA’s committee work and is an opportunity for members of the public to provide input and feedback to the Committee or Workgroup.
Meetings:
Typically, the public comment period is held at the end of each meeting. There may occasionally be more than one comment period. Members of the public are asked to comment or post in the chat only during this period, and to keep verbal comments to about 2 minutes. The public comment period is held solely for the public to share their thoughts with the Committee or Workgroup. Committee members are unlikely to ask questions or respond to public comment directly but consider public comments during committee work. If you know before the meeting that you’d like to provide public comment, you can email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov to sign up. If you’d like to provide public comment during the meeting, you can message one of the hosts to sign-up. If you are unable to message, please speak up during the open public comment period.
Written Comment:
You can also send written public comment to HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov at any time. To be included in the materials a meeting please submit the comment no less than 2 business days before the intended meeting. Please specify which group it is for – HITOC or HITAG. Written comment is emailed out and posted as part of meeting materials.
Have questions about public comment? We want to hear from you! Please email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:
- CART (live captions)
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters
- Written materials in other languages
- Braille
- Large print
- Audio and other formats
If you need help or have questions, please email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov or contact (503) 373-7859 at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.
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