“The incorporation of person-centered health as a core goal of the final Federal Health IT Strategic Plan released today by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) is a significant and positive step toward the kind of patient- and family-centered health care system this country needs. We commend ONC for recognizing that patients, families and caregivers must be able to access, understand, use and share health information in order to achieve a health care system that delivers better care, better health and better value.

By laying out the vision, goals and collective efforts that federal agencies will pursue over the next five years in concert with public and private organizations, the Strategic Plan will help sustain momentum in advancing patient access to tools that can help them understand and manage their care, communicate effectively with providers, and participate in efforts to enhance coordination of care across settings and providers.

We applaud National Coordinator Karen DeSalvo and the ONC for taking this step to strengthen the nation’s health care system, and look forward to working with ONC and all federal agencies to turn these powerful strategies into measurable short- and longer-term outcomes. We will continue our efforts to create a health care system that views patients and family caregivers as true and equal partners in improving health through shared information, understanding and decision-making.”