Health IT Revolution: ASTP/ONC's Shocking Move Could Change Everything—Are You Ready?

On November 24, the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) announced a significant policy shift affecting health IT developers. Due to a recent lapse in government appropriations, which made the ASTP/ONC website and vital resources, like attestation submission portals and testing tools, unavailable, the office will exercise temporary enforcement discretion regarding compliance dates for certification criteria.

This discretion will specifically apply to compliance with certification program criteria under the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1) final rule. Effective from January 1, 2026, until March 1, 2026, health IT developers will have until February 28, 2026, to complete necessary updates to health IT modules.

Moreover, the ONC will temporarily suspend enforcement of the condition and maintenance of certification requirements for attestations that were due on October 31. As outlined in the ONC Cures Act final rule, health IT developers are mandated to provide attestations semiannually for any health IT modules that have, or have had, active certification under the ONC Health IT Certification Program within the past six months. These attestations are typically submitted to an ONC-authorized certification body within a designated 30-day window twice a year, in April and October. The latest announcement allows developers and ONC-authorized certification bodies to ensure submission of attestations for the period covering April through September through December 31. The deadline for the April 2026 attestation submissions, which covers the period from October 2025 to March 2026, remains unchanged and is set for April 30, 2026.

This decision underscores the challenges faced by health IT developers during periods of government disruption. The temporary leniency provided by the ONC allows these developers to catch up on compliance without facing immediate penalties, an essential buffer given the critical nature of health IT services in the United States. The health IT sector plays a vital role in ensuring interoperability and transparency in healthcare, which is increasingly crucial as providers adopt more digital solutions.

The policy change also raises broader questions about the sustainability of health IT initiatives amid potential governmental interruptions. As the healthcare industry moves towards more integrated technology systems, ensuring that developers can meet certification standards without disruption is essential for the ongoing improvement of healthcare delivery in America. The ONC's response reflects an understanding of these dynamics and a willingness to adapt policy frameworks to the realities of federal funding challenges.

In conclusion, while the temporary enforcement discretion provides immediate relief for health IT developers, it also highlights the need for a more robust infrastructure to support continuous compliance in this rapidly evolving field. As the landscape of healthcare technology continues to develop, the implications of such policy changes will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and health practitioners alike.