Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability; Withdrawal
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have required hospitals, clinics, and health technology companies to make it easier for patients to access their medical records and share health information with other providers. This withdrawal means these data-sharing requirements will not go into effect.
Key Points
- 1The federal government is canceling a proposed rule designed to improve how patients can access and share their own health information across different hospitals and doctors
- 2Healthcare providers and technology companies will not be required to implement new systems to allow patients to easily download or transfer their medical records
- 3Public health agencies will not receive mandated improvements in how they can share disease and health emergency information with each other
- 4Patients may continue to face barriers when trying to get copies of their medical records or switch to a new doctor who uses a different health system
- 5Healthcare organizations that had been preparing to comply with these requirements can halt those implementation efforts
Impact Assessment
If you are a patient, this means you will not gain the new federal requirements for easier access to your medical records and the ability to seamlessly share your health information with other healthcare providers.
National
None
Key Dates
December 29, 2025
Regulatory Connections
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 and Basic Health Program
Annual Civil Monetary Penalties Inflation Adjustment
Hearings, Meetings, Proceedings, etc.: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule; Tribal Consultation
Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.