Setting priorities for standards adoption

Not later than 6 months after the date on which the HIT Advisory Committee first meets, the National Coordinator shall periodically convene the HIT Advisory Committee to— identify priority uses of health information technology, focusing on priorities— In identifying such standards and implementation specifications under paragraph (1)(B), the HIT Advisory Committee shall prioritize standards and implementation specifications developed by consensus-based standards development organizations. In consultation with the consensus-based entity described in section 1395aaa of this title and other appropriate Federal agencies, the analysis of existing standards under paragraph (1)(B) shall include an evaluation of the need for a core set of common data elements and associated value sets to enhance the ability of certified health information technology to capture, use, and exchange structured electronic health information. Beginning 5 years after December 13, 2016, and every 3 years thereafter, the National Coordinator shall convene stakeholders to review the existing set of adopted standards and implementation specifications and make recommendations with respect to whether to— The HIT Advisory Committee, in collaboration with the National Institute for Standards and Technology, shall annually and through the use of public input, review and publish priorities for the use of health information technology, standards, and implementation specifications to support those priorities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the use or adoption of novel standards that improve upon the existing health information technology infrastructure and facilitate the secure exchange of health information.