In 2019, the ONC has awarded a cooperation agreement to the Sequoia project, which will serve as a recognized coordinating body (CEN) for the development, updating, implementation and maintenance of the Common Agreement and the Technical Framework for Qualified Health Information (QTF). Learn more about this announcement. In this letter, we provide high-level and detailed observations that should help the ONC refine the second TEFCA project. We share a broad goal of improving patient and nation health care through more fluid and secure access to health information and use by patients, providers and other appropriate stakeholders. In January 2018, ONC published the first draft of the Trusted Exchange Framework (TEF Draft 1) for public notice. We would like to thank all those who commented on the TEF 1 project for their contribution. The ONC reviewed all public comments on the TEF 1 project and published a draft package updated for review. In particular, we invite the public to comment on the following three complementary documents: as we have already mentioned, the TEF and the joint agreement are currently under construction. Two TEF projects have been published. The first draft joint agreement is expected to be submitted for public notice in early 2020.

“The seamless interoperable exchange of health information is a key element in building a health system that enables patients and health care providers and provides better care at a lower cost,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “The 21st Century Cures Act has taken an important step towards this goal by promoting a national framework and a common agreement for a reliable exchange of health information. We appreciate the input and input of stakeholders and look forward to continuing their commitment. “We are entering a critical phase of the joint agreement development process and we need input from organizations that agree to participate in exchange activities as part of the agreement. This ensures that the agreement is both practical and widely supported,” Yeager said. “This work offers the health IT community the opportunity to shape the future of interoperability via TEFCA. It is important that we include the implementation community and provide as many opportunities as possible for everyone to participate. The first TEF project was published by the ONC (Office of the National Health Information Technology Coordinator) on January 5, 2018.