119 
(F) strategies to enhance the use of health 
information technology in preventing and man-
aging chronic disease; 
(G) policies to incorporate the input of em-
ployees of health care providers in the design 
and implementation of health information tech-
nology systems; and 
(H) other policies determined to be nec-
essary by the Community; and 
(4) serve as a forum for the participation of a 
broad range of stakeholders to provide input on im-
proving the effective implementation of health infor-
mation technology systems. 
The Community may not make any recommendation that 
affects an individual’s right to health information privacy 
unless the recommendation receives the affirmative sup-
port of the consumer or patient organization representa-
tive appointed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(viii)(I). 
(b) PUBLICATION.—All recommendations made by 
the Community pursuant to this section shall be published 
in the Federal Register and on the Internet website of the 
National Coordinator. The Secretary shall review all rec-
ommendations and determine which recommendations 
shall be endorsed by the Federal Government and such 
determination shall be published on the Internet website 
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
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of the Office of the National Coordinator after an oppor-
tunity for public comment in accordance with section 553 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) MEMBERS.—The members of the Commu-
nity shall consist of the following: 
(A) 
APPOINTED
MEMBERS.—The 
ap-
pointed members of the Community shall be ap-
pointed as follows: 
(i) 3 members shall be appointed by 
the Secretary, 1 of whom shall be a rep-
resentative from the Department of Health 
and Human Services. 
(ii) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who shall 
represent the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
(iii) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the Secretary of Defense who shall rep-
resent the Department of Defense. 
(iv) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the majority leader of the Senate. 
(v) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the minority leader of the Senate. 
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
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(vi) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(vii) 1 member shall be appointed by 
the minority leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(viii) Nine members shall be ap-
pointed by the Comptroller General of 
whom— 
(I) one member shall be advo-
cates for patients or consumers; 
(II) one member shall represent 
health care providers; 
(III) one member shall be from a 
labor organization representing health 
care workers; 
(IV) one member shall have ex-
pertise in the protection of privacy 
and data security; 
(V) one member shall have exper-
tise in improving the health of vulner-
able populations; 
(VI) one member shall represent 
health plans or other third party pay-
ers; 
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(VII) one member shall represent 
information technology vendors; 
(VIII) one member shall rep-
resent purchasers or employers; and 
(IX) one member shall have ex-
pertise in health care quality measure-
ment and reporting. 
(B) NATIONAL
COORDINATOR.—The Na-
tional Coordinator shall be a member of the 
Community and act as a liaison among the 
Community, the partnership, and the Federal 
Government. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The Community shall designate one member to serve 
as the chairperson and one member to serve as the 
vice chairperson of the Community. 
(3) PARTICIPATION.—The members of the 
Community appointed under paragraph (1) shall 
represent a balance among various sectors of the 
health care system so that no single sector unduly 
influences the recommendations of the Community. 
(4) TERMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The terms of members 
of the Community shall be for 3 years except 
that the Comptroller General shall designate 
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
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staggered terms for the members first ap-
pointed. 
(B) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy in the membership of the Com-
munity that occurs prior to the expiration of 
the term for which the member’s predecessor 
was appointed shall be appointed only for the 
remainder of that term. A member may serve 
after the expiration of that member’s term until 
a successor has been appointed. A vacancy in 
the Community shall be filled in the manner in 
which the original appointment was made. 
(5) OUTSIDE INVOLVEMENT.—The Community 
shall ensure an adequate opportunity for the partici-
pation of outside advisors, including individuals with 
expertise in— 
(A) the protection of health information 
privacy and security; 
(B) improving the health of vulnerable 
populations; 
(C) health care quality and patient safety, 
including individuals with expertise in measure-
ment and the use of health information tech-
nology to capture data to improve health care 
quality and patient safety; 
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
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(D) ethics, including the ethical standards 
of professional medical and mental health prac-
titioner associations; 
(E) medical and clinical research data ex-
change; 
(F) developing health information tech-
nology standards and new health information 
technology; and 
(G) the operation of a State or local health 
information network. 
(6) QUORUM.—Ten members of the Community 
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, but 
a lesser number of members may meet and hold 
hearings. 
(d) FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) STAFF OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
Upon the request of the Community, the head of any 
Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, 
any of the personnel of such agency to the Commu-
nity to assist in carrying out the duties of the Com-
munity. Any such detail shall not interrupt or other-
wise affect the civil service status or privileges of the 
Federal employee involved. 
(2) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—Upon the re-
quest of the Community, the head of a Federal 
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