– Comment by October 8. This proposed rule aims to implement updates to the Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), to align with requirements established by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Now the HHSAR and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) applies to all solicitations and contracts, issued by Health and Human Services (HHS) entities. This involves implementing, acquiring, or upgrading health information technology (IT) used for the direct exchange of individually identifiable health information between agencies and non-Federal entities, or by health care providers, health plans, or health insurance issuers under HHS contracts. HHS has determined that the proposed requirements are inherent to successful performance on any relevant Federal contract.
