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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.
April Meeting
HITOC’s next meeting is April 9 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be virtual. Members will review their final 2026 HITOC workplan and discuss the current state of health IT interoperability in Oregon. Members will hear updates on OHA’s health IT and behavioral health work and participate in an open discussion forum on the top health IT concerns within their area or organization.
As always, a public comment period will be available: refer to the meeting agenda for times or email HITOC.INFO@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Community Information Exchange (CIE)
Support for Medicaid health-related social needs (HRSN) providers using community information exchange (CIE)
OHA is contracting with HIT Commons to provide a range of supports for Medicaid HRSN providers and potential HRSN providers to use CIE in 2026-2027. HIT Commons will coordinate with coordinated care organizations (CCOs) to ensure this work complements CCO efforts. This means soon HIT Commons will be able to provide direct training and technical assistance, regional workshops, and other support for using Connect Oregon/Unite Us. Planning is underway to launch these activities, and you can learn more about this opportunity on the Oregon Health Leadership Council website.
If there is interest, OHA will develop support for Medicaid HRSN providers using Findhelp.
Rural Health Transformation Program
Oregon received its official Notice of Award from CMS on December 29, 2025, for the Rural Health Transformation Program grant (RHTP). Oregon has been awarded $197.3 million for the program's first year in 2026. The Oregon RHTP team looks forward to partnering with rural communities and CMS to implement this initiative to support improving access to high-quality, reliable care and long-term improvements in health outcomes for rural communities across the state.
OHA held an informational webinar on March 25, 2026 (slides and recording) to provide a program refresher, an overview of the upcoming Catalyst Awards Request for Grant Proposal (RFGP) and steps organizations can take now to prepare, an overview of CMS allowable use of funds, and other information. The RFGP is expected to open early April, with a submission period of about 45 days, closing in early summer, with awards announced mid-2026. ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ posted on the website are being updated regularly.
More information about Oregon’s RHTP program can be found on the OHA RHTP webpage. Sign up for Oregon’s RHTP Newsletter on their website.
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.
Connect Oregon CIE Public Resource Directory
The Oregon Health Leadership Council (OHLC), 211info, and Unite Us launched the Connect Oregon Public Resource Directory (PRD), now live on the OHLC website. An expansion of the state’s Connect Oregon network, this public-facing directory enables individuals, community health workers (CHWs), and care providers to quickly identify and share local community-based services. For more information see the press release.
Findhelp continues to have an available public resource directory.
Connect Oregon CIE Public Resource Directory
The Oregon Health Leadership Council (OHLC), 211info, and Unite Us launched the Connect Oregon Public Resource Directory (PRD), now live on the OHLC website. An expansion of the state’s Connect Oregon network, this public-facing directory enables individuals, community health workers (CHWs), and care providers to quickly identify and share local community-based services. For more information see the press release.
Findhelp continues to have an available public resource directory.
CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized the Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Final Rule (CMS-0053-F).
The final rule establishes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-adopted standards for health care claims attachments, enabling the secure electronic exchange of health care claims-related supporting clinical documentation such as medical records, x-rays and imaging, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation and laboratory results.
The rule also establishes requirements for electronic signatures to ensure health care claims attachment transactions are secure, authenticated, and compliant with federal standards. These updates are intended to eliminate manual processes such as faxing and mailing.
For more information visit the CMS website, the fact sheet, and view the final rule at the Federal Register. This final rule is effective on May 26, 2026. The compliance deadlines for all requirements are set for 24 months from the effective date.
Draft USCDI v7 available for public comment
Draft USCDI v7 is open for public comment until April 13, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) is seeking feedback on any aspect of Draft USCDI v7. The draft USCDI v7 reflects ASTP/ONC’s ongoing commitment to expanding standardized health data exchange to support improved patient care, enhanced nationwide health, greater affordability, and reduced clinician burden. Read the Standards Bulletin to learn more.
OHA Health IT Meetings/Events
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 in the meeting chat 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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