Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

**hat We Do** The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (hereafter ASTP) is at the forefront of the administration’s health IT efforts and is a resource to the entire health system to support the adoption of health information technology and the promotion of nationwide, standards-based health information exchange to improve health care. ASTP is organizationally located within the Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ASTP is the principal federal entity charged with coordination of nationwide efforts to implement and use the most advanced health information technology and the electronic exchange of health information. The position of National Coordinator was created in 2004, through an Executive Order, and legislatively mandated in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ([HITECH Act](https://www.healthit.gov/policy-researchers-implementers/health-it-legislation)) of 2009. Through its work, ASTP remains focused on two strategic objectives: - **Advancing** the development and use of health IT capabilities; and - **Establishing** expectations for data sharing **Vision** Better health enabled by data **Mission** To create systemic improvements in health and care through the access, exchange, and use of data