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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.
October Meeting
HITOC’s next meeting is October 9 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be virtual. Members will identify priority actions for their ongoing focus on health IT and behavioral health. They will learn about CCO efforts to support health IT for social determinants of health and they will review their discussion of patients and consumers and health IT from their August meeting. Finally, members will begin development of the 2026 HITOC Workplan.
As always, a public comment period will be available: refer to the meeting agenda for times or email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Rural Health Transformation Program
OHA is in the process of applying for federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. H.R. 1, the Trump Administration’s federal budget reconciliation bill, establishes a one-time, five-year RHT Program, which makes funding available to states for health-related activities supporting rural communities and rural health system transformation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will oversee the RHT Program and provide funding to awarded states between Federal Fiscal Year 2026 through Federal Fiscal Year 2030.
OHA’s application process is informed by public comments received during summer 2025. To receive funding, states must submit a RHT Plan that addresses specific components outlined in statute, such as leveraging technologies in chronic disease management and outlining strategies for long-term financial solvency of rural hospitals. If awarded, Oregon expects to receive approximately $100 million per year for up to five years and may also be awarded discretionary funding above that amount. There will be public forums to learn more about Oregon's application to the RHT Program, see below for details. To learn more about RHT Program visit the OHA RHT Program webpage.
RHT Program Public Forums
Please join us at one of the following public forums to learn more about Oregon's application to the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. We will discuss:
- Background and timeline of the RHT Program
- Summary of public comment received in September
- Oregon's proposed initiatives
Note: The forums will be the same and will repeat the information at a different day and time for your convenience.
If you need accommodations or have any questions, please contact: RHTP@oha.oregon.gov
Monitoring Federal Changes and Impacts on Oregon
OHA maintains 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.
CMS Releases AI Playbook Version 4
Recently CMS made updates to the CMS AI Playbook, which documents the agency’s evolving approach to AI adoption and maturity, offers CMS-specific guidance, tools, and frameworks for leadership, project teams, and IT and security professionals. Version 4 reflects CMS’ transition from early-stage AI exploration to building foundational maturity, and is informed by federal directives and feedback from CMS staff across components. To learn more about CMS’ work with AI, visit their website.
California Passes AI Governance Legislation
This week, California Governor Newsom signed into law a bill requiring the largest AI companies to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols, report the most critical safety incidents, and protect whistleblowers. It also advances an industrial policy for AI by creating “CalCompute,” a public cloud compute cluster that provides AI infrastructure for startups and researchers. More information can be found on the legislative sponsor’s website here.
OHA Health IT Meetings/Events
Other Events
Medicaid’s Place in Oregon’s Health Care System.
November 12, 9:05 – 9:55 a.m.
An educational session organized by the OHA Medicaid Advisory Committee, presented by OHA Medicaid Director Emma Sandoe.
Join ZoomGov Meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1613762941?pwd=MeBbvxhGOers4tKTfouYNmykJxcA9F.1
- Meeting ID: 161 376 2941. Passcode: MAC
- Join by phone: 669-254-5252. Participant code: 1613762941#
La posición de Medicaid dentro del sistema de salud de Oregon.
12 de noviembre de 2025, 9:05 – 9:55 a.m.
Una sesión educativa organizada por el Comité Asesor de Medicaid de OHA, presentada por Emma Sandoe, directora de Medicaid de OHA.
Únase a la reunión: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1613762941?pwd=MeBbvxhGOers4tKTfouYNmykJxcA9F.1
- ID de la reunión: 161 376 2941. Contraseña: MAC
- Únase por teléfono: 669-254-5252. Código de participante: 1613762941#
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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