‘‘(ii) Self-service technologies that fa-
cilitate the use and exchange of patient in-
formation and reduce wait times. 
‘‘(iii) Telemedicine technologies, in 
order to reduce travel requirements for pa-
tients in remote areas. 
‘‘(iv) Technologies that facilitate home 
health care and the monitoring of patients 
recuperating at home. 
‘‘(v) Technologies that help reduce 
medical errors. 
‘‘(vi) Technologies that facilitate the 
continuity of care among health settings. 
‘‘(vii) Technologies that meet the 
needs of diverse populations. 
‘‘(viii) Any other technology that the 
HIT Policy Committee finds to be among 
the technologies with the greatest potential 
to improve the quality and efficiency of 
health care. 
‘‘(3) FORUM.—The HIT Policy Committee shall 
serve as a forum for broad stakeholder input with 
specific expertise in policies relating to the matters 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
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‘‘(4) WEBSITE.—The HIT Policy Committee 
shall develop and maintain an Internet website on 
which there is posted information that includes the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Established governance rules. 
‘‘(B) A business plan. 
‘‘(C) Meeting notices at least 14 days prior 
to each meeting. 
‘‘(D) Meeting agendas at least 7 days prior 
to each meeting. 
‘‘(E) Meeting materials at least 3 days 
prior to each meeting. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENTS.—The HIT Policy Com-
mittee shall be composed of members to be ap-
pointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, 1 of whom shall be appointed to rep-
resent the Department of Health and Human 
Services and 1 of whom shall be a public health 
official. 
‘‘(B) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
‘‘(C) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate. 
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‘‘(D) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(E) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representa-
tives. 
‘‘(F) Such other members as shall be ap-
pointed by the President as representatives of 
other relevant Federal agencies. 
‘‘(G) 11 members shall be appointed by the 
Comptroller General of the United States of 
whom— 
‘‘(i) 1 member shall be an advocate 
for patients or consumers; 
‘‘(ii) 2 members shall represent health 
care providers, one of which shall be a phy-
sician; 
‘‘(iii) 1 member shall be from a labor 
organization 
representing 
health 
care 
workers; 
‘‘(iv) 1 member shall have expertise in 
privacy and security; 
‘‘(v) 1 member shall have expertise in 
improving the health of vulnerable popu-
lations; 
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‘‘(vi) 1 member shall be from the re-
search community; 
‘‘(vii) 1 member shall represent health 
plans or other third-party payers; 
‘‘(viii) 1 member shall represent infor-
mation technology vendors; 
‘‘(ix) 1 member shall represent pur-
chasers or employers; and 
‘‘(x) 1 member shall have expertise in 
health care quality measurement and re-
porting. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL COORDINATOR.—The National 
Coordinator shall be a member of the HIT Policy 
Committee and act as a liaison among the HIT Pol-
icy Committee, the HIT Standards Committee, and 
the Federal Government. 
‘‘(3) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The HIT Policy Committee shall designate 1 mem-
ber to serve as the chairperson and 1 member to 
serve as the vice chairperson of the HIT Policy 
Committee. 
‘‘(4) PARTICIPATION.—The members of the 
HIT Policy Committee appointed under paragraph 
(1) shall represent a balance among various sectors 
of the health care system so that no single sector 
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unduly influences the recommendations of such 
Committee. 
‘‘(5) TERMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The terms of mem-
bers of the HIT Policy Committee appointed 
under paragraph (1) shall be 3 years except 
that the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall designate staggered terms for the 
members first appointed under paragraph 
(1)(G). 
‘‘(B) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy in the membership of the HIT 
Policy Committee that occurs prior to the expi-
ration of the term for which the member’s pred-
ecessor 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 HIT Policy Committee shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original ap-
pointment was made. 
‘‘(6) OUTSIDE INVOLVEMENT.—The HIT Policy 
Committee shall ensure an adequate opportunity for 
the participation in activities of the Committee of 
outside advisors, including individuals with expertise 
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in the development of policies for the electronic ex-
change and use of health information, including in 
the areas of health information privacy and security. 
‘‘(7) QUORUM.—Ten members of the HIT Pol-
icy Committee shall constitute a quorum for pur-
poses of voting, but a lesser number of members 
may meet and hold hearings. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION OF FACA.—The Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than section 14 of 
such Act, shall apply to the HIT Policy Committee. 
‘‘(e) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall provide for 
publication in the Federal Register and the posting on the 
Internet website of the Office of the National Coordinator 
for Health Information Technology of all policy rec-
ommendations made by the HIT Policy Committee under 
this section. 
‘‘SEC. 3003. HIT STANDARDS COMMITTEE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mittee to be known as the HIT Standards Committee to 
recommend to the National Coordinator standards, imple-
mentation specifications, and certification criteria for the 
electronic exchange and use of health information for pur-
poses of adoption under section 3004(b), consistent with 
the implementation of the strategic plan described in sec-
tion 3001(c)(3). 
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‘‘(b) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) STANDARD DEVELOPMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Beginning not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this title, the HIT Standards Committee shall 
recommend to the National Coordinator stand-
ards, implementation specifications, and certifi-
cation criteria described in subsection (a) that 
have been developed, harmonized, or recognized 
by the Committee. Annually thereafter the 
Committee shall update such recommendations 
and make new recommendations as appropriate, 
including in response to a notification sent 
under section 3004(b)(2). Such recommenda-
tions shall be consistent with the latest rec-
ommendations made by the HIT Policy Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(B) PILOT TESTING OF STANDARDS AND 
IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS.—In the de-
velopment, harmonization, or recognition of 
standards and implementation specifications, 
the HIT Standards Committee, as appropriate, 
shall provide for the testing of such standards 
and specifications by the National Institute for 
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Standards and Technology under section 201 of 
the PRO(TECH)T Act of 2008. 
‘‘(C) CONSISTENCY.—The standards, im-
plementation specifications, and certification 
criteria recommended under this subsection 
shall be consistent with the standards for infor-
mation transactions and data elements adopted 
pursuant to section 1173 of the Social Security 
Act. 
‘‘(2) FORUM.—The HIT Standards Committee 
shall serve as a forum for the participation of a 
broad range of stakeholders to provide input on the 
development, harmonization, and recognition of 
standards, implementation specifications, and certifi-
cation criteria necessary for the development and 
adoption of a nationwide interoperable health infor-
mation technology infrastructure. 
‘‘(3) SCHEDULE.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this title, the HIT 
Standards Committee shall develop a schedule for 
the assessment of policy recommendations developed 
by the HIT Policy Committee under section 3002. 
The HIT Standards Committee shall update such 
schedule annually. The Secretary shall publish such 
schedule in the Federal Register. 
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‘‘(4) PUBLIC
INPUT.—The HIT Standards 
Committee shall conduct open public meetings and 
develop a process to allow for public comment on the 
schedule described in paragraph (3) and rec-
ommendations described in this subsection. Under 
such process comments shall be submitted in a time-
ly manner after the date of publication of a rec-
ommendation under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) WEBSITE.—The HIT Standards Com-
mittee shall develop and maintain an Internet 
website on which there is posted information that in-
cludes the following: 
‘‘(A) Established governance rules. 
‘‘(B) A business plan. 
‘‘(C) Meeting notices at least 14 days prior 
to each meeting. 
‘‘(D) Meeting agendas at least 7 days prior 
to each meeting. 
‘‘(E) Meeting materials at least 3 days 
prior to each meeting. 
‘‘(6) 
REQUIREMENT
TO
INTEGRATE
REC-
OMMENDATIONS.—In carrying out the activities 
under this section, the HIT Standards Committee 
shall integrate the recommendations of the HIT Pol-
icy Committee. 
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‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENTS.—The HIT Standards 
Committee shall be composed of members to be ap-
pointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(B) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
‘‘(C) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate. 
‘‘(D) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(E) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representa-
tives. 
‘‘(F) 9 members shall be appointed by the 
Comptroller General of the United States of 
whom— 
‘‘(i) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of consumer or patient organizations; 
‘‘(ii) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of organizations with expertise in pri-
vacy; 
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‘‘(iii) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of organizations with expertise in secu-
rity; 
‘‘(iv) 2 members shall be a representa-
tive of health care providers, one of which 
shall be a physician; 
‘‘(v) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of health plans or other third party 
payers; 
‘‘(vi) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of information technology vendors; 
‘‘(vii) 1 member shall be a representa-
tive of purchasers or employers; and 
‘‘(viii) 1 member shall be a represent-
ative of the health research community. 
‘‘(G) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
Director of the National Institute for Standards 
and Technology. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL COORDINATOR.—The National 
Coordinator shall be a member of the HIT Stand-
ards Committee and act as a liaison among the HIT 
Standards Committee, the HIT Policy Committee, 
and the Federal government. 
‘‘(3) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The HIT Standards Committee shall designate 1 
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member to serve as the chairperson and 1 member 
to serve as the vice chairperson of the Committee. 
‘‘(4) PARTICIPATION.—The members of the 
HIT Standards Committee appointed under para-
graph (1) shall represent a balance among various 
sectors of the health care system so that no single 
sector unduly influences the recommendations of 
such Committee. 
‘‘(5) TERMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The terms of mem-
bers of the HIT Standards Committee ap-
pointed under paragraph (1) shall be 3 years 
except that the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall designate staggered terms 
for the members first appointed under para-
graph (1)(F). 
‘‘(B) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy in the membership of the HIT 
Standards Committee 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 HIT Standards Committee shall 
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be filled in the manner in which the original ap-
pointment was made. 
‘‘(6) 
OUTSIDE
INVOLVEMENT.—The 
HIT 
Standards Committee shall ensure an adequate op-
portunity for the participation in activities of the 
Committee of outside advisors, including individuals 
with expertise in the development of standards for 
the electronic exchange and use of health informa-
tion, including in the areas of health information 
privacy and security. 
‘‘(7) QUORUM.—Eight members of the HIT 
Standards Committee shall constitute a quorum for 
purposes of voting, but a lesser number of members 
may meet and hold hearings. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATION OF FACA.—The Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than section 14, 
shall apply to the HIT Standards Committee. 
‘‘(e) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall provide for 
publication in the Federal Register and the posting on the 
Internet website of the Office of the National Coordinator 
for Health Information Technology of all recommenda-
tions made by the HIT Standards Committee under this 
section. 
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‘‘SEC. 3004. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF ENDORSED REC-
OMMENDATIONS. 
‘‘(a) REVIEW
OF ENDORSED STANDARDS, SPECI-
FICATIONS, AND CRITERIA.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of receipt of standards, implementation specifica-
tions, or certification criteria endorsed under section 
3001(c), the Secretary, in consultation with representa-
tives of other relevant Federal agencies, shall jointly re-
view such standards, specifications, or criteria and shall 
determine whether or not to propose adoption of such 
standards, specifications, or criteria. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION TO ADOPT STANDARDS, SPEC-
IFICATIONS, AND CRITERIA.—If the Secretary deter-
mines— 
‘‘(1) to propose adoption of any grouping of 
such standards, specifications, or criteria, the Sec-
retary shall, through a rulemaking process, deter-
mine whether or not to adopt such grouping of 
standards, specifications, or criteria; or 
‘‘(2) not to propose adoption of any grouping of 
standards, specifications, or criteria, the Secretary 
shall notify the National Coordinator and the HIT 
Standards Committee in writing of such determina-
tion and the reasons for not proposing the adoption 
of such recommendation. 
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‘‘(c) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall provide for 
publication in the Federal Register of all determinations 
made by the Secretary under subsection (a). 
‘‘SEC. 3005. APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPTED STAND-
ARDS 
AND 
IMPLEMENTATION 
SPECIFICA-
TIONS BY FEDERAL AGENCIES. 
‘‘For requirements relating to the application and use 
by Federal agencies of the standards and implementation 
specifications adopted under section 3004(b), see section 
111 of the PRO(TECH)T Act of 2008. 
‘‘SEC. 3006. VOLUNTARY APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPT-
ED 
STANDARDS 
AND 
IMPLEMENTATION 
SPECIFICATIONS BY PRIVATE ENTITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under section 
112 of the PRO(TECH)T Act of 2008, any standard or 
implementation specification adopted under section 
3004(b) shall be voluntary with respect to private entities. 
‘‘(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sub-
title shall be construed to require that a private entity that 
enters into a contract with the Federal Government apply 
or use the standards and implementation specifications 
adopted under section 3004(b) with respect to activities 
not related to the contract. 
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‘‘SEC. 3007. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RE-
SOURCE CENTER. 
‘‘(a) DEVELOPMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The National Coordinator 
shall develop a Health Information Technology Re-
source Center to provide technical assistance and de-
velop best practices to support and accelerate efforts 
to adopt, implement, and effectively use health infor-
mation technology that allows for the electronic ex-
change and use of information in compliance with 
standards, implementation specifications, and certifi-
cation criteria adopted under section 3004(b). 
‘‘(2) PURPOSES.—The purpose of the Center is 
to— 
‘‘(A) provide a forum for the exchange of 
knowledge and experience; 
‘‘(B) accelerate the transfer of lessons 
learned from existing public and private sector 
initiatives, including those currently receiving 
Federal financial support; 
‘‘(C) assemble, analyze, and widely dis-
seminate evidence and experience related to the 
adoption, implementation, and effective use of 
health information technology that allows for 
the electronic exchange and use of information; 
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‘‘(D) provide technical assistance for the 
establishment and evaluation of regional and 
local health information networks to facilitate 
the electronic exchange of information across 
health care settings and improve the quality of 
health care; 
‘‘(E) provide technical assistance for the 
development and dissemination of solutions to 
barriers to the exchange of electronic health in-
formation; 
‘‘(F) learn about effective strategies to 
adopt and utilize health information technology 
in medically underserved communities; 
‘‘(G) conduct other activities identified by 
the States, local or regional health information 
networks, or health care stakeholders as a focus 
for developing and sharing best practices; and 
‘‘(H) provide technical assistance to pro-
mote adoption and utilization of health informa-
tion technology by health care providers, includ-
ing in medically underserved communities. 
‘‘(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TELEPHONE NUMBER 
OR WEBSITE.—The National Coordinator shall establish 
a toll-free telephone number or Internet website to provide 
health care providers with a single point of contact to— 
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‘‘(1) learn about Federal grants and technical 
assistance services related to interoperable health in-
formation technology; 
‘‘(2) learn about standards, implementation 
specifications, and certification criteria adopted 
under section 3004(b); 
‘‘(3) learn about regional and local health infor-
mation networks for assistance with health informa-
tion technology; and 
‘‘(4) disseminate additional information deter-
mined by the National Coordinator.’’. 
SEC. 102. TRANSITIONS. 
(a) ONCHIT.—To the extent consistent with section 
3001 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 
101, all functions, personnel, assets, liabilities, and admin-
istrative actions applicable to the National Coordinator for 
Health Information Technology appointed under Execu-
tive Order 13335 or the Office of such National Coordi-
nator on the date before the date of the enactment of this 
Act shall be transferred to the National Coordinator ap-
pointed under section 3001(a) of such Act and the Office 
of such National Coordinator as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) AHIC.— 
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(1) To the extent consistent with sections 3002 
and 3003 of the Public Health Service Act, as added 
by section 101, all functions, personnel, assets, and 
liabilities applicable to the American Health Infor-
mation Community created in response to Executive 
Order 13335 as of the day before the date of the en-
actment of this Act shall be transferred to the HIT 
Policy Committee or the HIT Standards Committee, 
established under section 3002(a) or 3003(a) of such 
Act, as appropriate, as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) In carrying out section 3003(b)(1)(A) of the 
Public Health Service Act, as so added, until rec-
ommendations are made by the HIT Policy Com-
mittee, recommendations of the HIT Standards 
Committee shall be consistent with the most recent 
recommendations made by the American Health In-
formation Community. 
(c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— 
(1) ONCHIT.—Nothing in section 3001 of the 
Public Health Service Act, as added by section 101, 
or subsection (a) shall be construed as requiring the 
creation of a new entity to the extent that the Office 
of the National Coordinator for Health Information 
Technology established pursuant to Executive Order 
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