A new program from the Trump administration would allow Americans to share personal health data and medical records across health systems and apps run by private tech companies, the Associated Press reports. The launch of the program aims to make accessing health records and monitoring wellness easier.
More than 60 companies have agreed to share patient data in the system, including major tech companies like Google, Amazon and Apple and health care giants like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health.
The initiative centers on diabetes and weight management, artificial intelligence that helps patients and digital tools like QR codes and apps that register patients for check-ins or track medications.
Critics say the system could put patients’ desires for more convenience at their doctor’s office at odds with their expectations that their medical information be kept private.
Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who will be in charge of maintaining the system, said patients will need to opt in for the sharing of their medical records and data which will be kept secure.
