Approximately 800 comments were received. The final rule is now being drafted. The NPRM for Security and Electronic Signature Standards was issued on August 12, 1998. Approximately 2000 comments were received. The final rule is now being drafted.
Progress also continues on two additional standards.
An NPRM is under development relating to the National Plan Identifier . The NPRM is expected to be published for public comment in 1999. Work on this standard also is well underway, and issuance of an NPRM is expected in 1999. HHS is now in the process of reviewing all of the public comments received and revising the proposed standards for issuance as final regulations. The Committee believes that both of these activities can and should proceed in tandem.