Week of Nov 1–7, 2026

TEFCA Updates Presentation Outlines QHIN Expansion and Governance Enhancements

ONC's TEFCA update details progress toward nationwide health information exchange with new qualified health information network designations and updated common agreement provisions. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has released an updated presentation...

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HHS Finalizes HTI-5 Deregulatory Rule to Encourage Innovation and Reduce Health IT Burdens

The deregulatory HTI-5 rule finalizes administrative simplification, mutual recognition of certification, and performance-based approaches to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and promote innovation in health IT. The U.S.

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FTC Bans Data Broker Sale of Hospital Visit Location Data, but Industry Practice Continues

The FTC's action against one data broker highlights a gap in federal protection for sensitive location data, leaving consumers vulnerable to continued exploitation by other firms. The Federal Trade Commission has prohibited a data broker from selling location data derived from hundreds of...

FDA, CMS move to prevent regulatory conflicts with state AI sandboxes

Federal officials are working behind the scenes to align state AI testing initiatives with federal oversight as more states launch clinical AI sandboxes. FDA and CMS officials are actively coordinating to avoid a regulatory logjam between federal oversight and state-level AI sandbox programs for...

CMS finalizes CY 2027 ESRD PPS updates, AKI dialysis payment rate, and QIP requirements

Updates payment rates and quality measures for dialysis facilities serving ESRD and AKI patients effective calendar year 2027. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule updating the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027.

STAT investigation finds Epic limits rival access to patient data

Epic's selective data access controls disadvantage competitors and slow health tech innovation, according to new STAT reporting. A STAT investigation published October 28, 2026 reveals that Epic Systems selectively restricts access to patient data within its electronic health record system,...

ONC HTI-5 Rule Cuts Criteria and Defers Information Blocking Actions

ONC reduced HTI-5 certification requirements by nearly 60% while postponing enforcement on information blocking and privacy safeguards, raising concerns about weakened interoperability progress. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) issued its HTI-5 final rule, cutting 14 of...

HHS issues final rule removing or modifying certification criteria for health IT under ONC deregulatory initiative

The rule reduces regulatory burden for developers and providers while aiming to support innovation through targeted certification reforms. The U.S.

HHS Proposes Exchange Pre-Eligibility Verification Updates Under Working Families Tax Cut Legislation

Proposed rule implements WFTC legislation affecting Exchange eligibility verification, inconsistency periods, redeterminations, enrollment methods, and coverage effective dates. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a proposed rule implementing new requirements under the...

HHS rolls back security and transparency requirements for hospital EHR vendors

The Trump administration eliminated specific privacy, security and transparency provisions for electronic health record software developers under HTI-5 rule modifications. The Department of Health and Human Services has relaxed several security, privacy and transparency requirements for vendors...

Sequoia Project Updates TEFCA Resource Library with Version 2.1 Materials

The RCE resource library provides centralized access to TEFCA's Common Agreement, technical frameworks, and implementation guides for QHINs and participants. The Sequoia Project has updated its TEFCA and RCE Resources page, serving as the central repository for Trusted Exchange Framework and...

CMS Announces Privacy Act Matching Program for State Health Subsidy Eligibility Verification

CMS launches a computer matching program to verify eligibility for ACA subsidy programs and prevent duplicate Medicaid enrollment across states, with public comment open until November 30, 2026. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a notice under the Privacy Act of 1974...

FDA Seeks Comment on Electronic Records and Signatures Collection Under PRA

FDA invites public comment on its proposed information collection for electronic record and signature provisions under 21 CFR Part 11, with implications for compliance and system design. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comment...

HRSA Seeks Public Comment on NPDB Regulations and Forms Revision (OMB No. 0906-0081)

The Health Resources and Services Administration requests input on proposed updates to the National Practitioner Data Bank regulations and forms under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Health and Human Services Department's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has submitted an...