Trump Administration Appoints New National Coordinator for Health IT

The Trump administration has named Thomas Keane as the new national coordinator for health information technology, marking a significant change in leadership for the federal government's health IT efforts. Keane, a software engineer and interventional radiologist, assumed the role on Monday, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ASTP/ONC).

Keane's Background and Experience

Thomas Keane brings a diverse background to his new position. Prior to this appointment, he served as a senior advisor to the deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His experience also includes:

• Administrator of the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund
• Leader in developing the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's National Nursing Home COVID Action Network
• Expertise in software engineering and interventional radiology

Organizational Changes and Budget Considerations

Keane's appointment comes amid significant changes within the HHS:

• The ASTP, formerly known as the ONC, reorganized last summer to expand its oversight of technology, data, and artificial intelligence policy.
• The Trump administration is in the process of reducing thousands of jobs and plans to cut the HHS budget.
• A recent budget proposal requests $130 million to establish the Chief Technology Officer position, which would encompass ASTP and coordinate the department's cybersecurity and health IT work.

These developments occur against the backdrop of broader restructuring within the HHS, potentially signaling a shift in priorities for health IT initiatives at the federal level.