Qualifacts recently attended the annual meeting of The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP)/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This year’s gathering of certified health IT developers and stakeholders focused on federal health IT priorities, including interoperability, data standards, and digital health policy. The meeting offered a timely perspective on ASTP focused priorities, and we left with a clearer picture of where things are heading and what that means for the behavioral health providers we support.
Two Parallel Efforts, One Exciting Direction
A lot of what’s shaping the future of health IT right now comes down to two federal efforts moving in parallel, each reinforcing the other.
The first is CMS’s Health Technology Ecosystem and Interoperability Framework, anchored by the “Kill the Clipboard” initiative. The goal is a future where health data moves seamlessly between clients and providers, and where individuals have better tools to engage in their own care. Qualifacts has pledged support for this initiative and is participating in the CMS EHR Workgroup alongside healthcare and technology leaders working toward a more connected, client-centered system. As the leading Behavioral Health EHR vendor in the market, we are ensuring behavioral health realities are heard in a space that has historically focused on acute care priorities.
The second is ONC, which develops the standards and regulations that turn that vision into practice. In short, CMS is driving the vision for where interoperability and health data exchange need to go. ONC then builds the standards framework that drives adoption. Together, they’re working to put the client at the center of their own healthcare ecosystem. The ASTP/ONC Annual Meeting offered a useful look at that second piece and how regulatory expectations are evolving for health IT developers.
Why It Matters for Behavioral Health
Data liquidity has always been central to the push for better interoperability, and that came through clearly in this year’s discussions. When systems exchange information well, providers can focus more on care and less on navigating administrative friction. As data becomes more accessible and actionable, the healthcare ecosystem is better positioned to drive coordinated care, improve outcomes, and support population health initiatives.
This is especially critical in behavioral health and substance use treatment, where continuity of care, care coordination, and timely access to information can have a profound impact on individuals and communities.
What’s Next
Following the meeting, Qualifacts plans to submit public comment on the HTI-5 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, advancing interoperability, and will continue aligning our platform with both the CMS Interoperability Framework and the standards ONC is developing. Our goal is to make sure behavioral health providers have the tools they need to keep pace with, and benefit from, the changes ahead.
