Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
HHS removes 14 health IT certification requirements
The US Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule changing requirements for electronic health record software used by hospitals.
The rule removes 14 of 60 certification criteria and substantially revises seven others.
The criteria are part of the government’s process for certifying record-keeping systems sold by companies such as Epic and Oracle.
HHS says the changes aim to reduce regulatory costs and support new technology, and projects savings of more than $1.5 billion.
Some of the changes scale back transparency requirements for artificial intelligence.
Commenters warned that removing or revising requirements could weaken privacy and security protections for sensitive health information and affect safety checks for AI-based products.
The rule is final, but the sources do not describe further steps.
The Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule removing 14 federal health IT certification criteria.
The rule also scales back transparency requirements related to artificial intelligence.
HHS projected the changes would save more than $1.5 billion in regulatory costs.
The removed criteria were among 60 used to certify electronic health record systems, and seven others were substantially revised.
Some commenters warned that the changes could weaken privacy, security and safeguards for products using artificial intelligence.
- Who
- The Department of Health and Human Services finalized the rule. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT issued it.
- What
- The rule removes 14 health IT certification criteria and substantially revises seven others.
- When
- Oct. 26, 2026.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- The administration said the changes would streamline regulations and support new technology. HHS projected more than $1.5 billion in regulatory cost savings.
Administration
Commenters who objected
Purpose
Administration
The administration said the changes would streamline government regulations and support new technologies.
Commenters who objected
Commenters raised concerns about the effects of the changes on privacy, security and product safety.
AI transparency
Administration
The rule scales back AI transparency requirements.
Commenters who objected
Commenters warned the changes could undermine efforts to ensure the safety of products that rely on AI.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Criteria removed
- 14
- Criteria substantially revised
- 7
- Certification criteria before changes
- 60
- Projected regulatory cost savings
- More than $1.5 billion
- Rule name
- Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: ONC Deregulatory Actions to Unleash Prosperity (HTI-5)