HHS Secretary Javier Becerra says the changes underscore the federal government’s efforts to take a more active role in shaping AI and data policy and addressing cybersecurity concerns.
Micky Tripathi, head of ONC will be Washington’s point man for AI governance under an ambitious shakeup unveiled this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The reshuffle strengthens federal leadership on data governance and policy, as well as AI policy, which is an ongoing concern given the rapid adoption of AI in health care and other sectors. The changes also underscore federal leadership on cybersecurity, a major pain point at a time when ransomware attacks and cybersecurity outages occur almost weekly.
Tripathi, former head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), will become Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC), as well as acting head of AI.
Just a few weeks ago, Tripathi and Troy Tazbaz, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center of Excellence for Digital Health, ended their participation as non-voting members of the board of directors of the Coalition for AI in Health (CHAI)an organization of more than 1,000 health systems, vendors and others working to develop AI standards and governance. The move, along with the reorganization, signals that the federal government may be distancing itself from any collaboration with the health sector.
Along with AI policy, the oversight of technology and data will also be transferred from the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) to ASTP/ONC, and the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Data Officer will join Tripathi in this department.
Additionally, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will take over the so-called 405(d) program, a public-private collaboration between the health care industry and the federal government on cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence are among the most pressing issues facing the health care sector today,” said Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. said in a press release “As a department, HHS must be agile, accountable, and strategic to meet the needs of the moment. For decades, HHS has worked across the organization to ensure the appropriate and safe use of technology, data, and AI to advance the health and well-being of the American people. This reorganization builds on that success and prepares the department for the challenges ahead.”
“Under the vision and leadership of Secretary Becerra and Deputy Secretary (Andrea Palm), HHS fully recognizes the importance of information technology to the Department’s mission and is consolidating organizational resources accordingly, to lead and shape technology policy across the Department’s broad range of external and internal activities,” Tripathi said. said in a blog.
“For some time, and especially in recent years, ONC has played an informal role in shaping technology and data policy within HHS,” he continued. “This initiative formalizes that function, which will allow us to build synergies with the work we will continue to do in health information technology, and to establish a dedicated organizational capacity to ensure that HHS is making the best use of technology and data across all operational and staff divisions.”
According to HHS, the chief AI officer will be responsible for:
- Define the AI policy and strategy for the department;
- Establish internal governance, policies, and risk management approaches for AI uses within HHS;
- Coordinate HHS’s approach to AI across health and human services sectors;
- Support the safe and appropriate use of AI technologies and tools across the department; and
- Coordinate AI-related training and talent initiatives.
Tripathi will serve in this role until the federal government completes its search for this position as well as the chief data officer and chief technology officer positions.
The Chief Data Officer, for his part, will be responsible for:
- Continue to oversee data governance and policy development;
- Lead data literacy and data talent initiatives;
- Manage HHS data strategy;
- Support collaboration and data exchange; and
- Managing HHS data as a strategic asset for the department.
Eric Wicklund is Associate Content Manager and Innovation Editor at HealthLeaders.
