March 16, 2026
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing focused on how health data and health information technology can be used to improve patient outcomes and modernize the U.S. health-care system.
During the hearing, senators examined how digital health records, patient data sharing, and modern information systems can help doctors provide better care and make healthcare more efficient. Witnesses and lawmakers discussed the role of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and other health agencies in using data to track patient outcomes, coordinate care across providers, and support innovation in health-care delivery.
The hearing also served as an oversight and policy discussion forum where senators evaluated how federal health technology initiatives can empower patients, improve health-care quality, and address ongoing challenges such as interoperability, privacy, and accessibility of medical data. Overall, the discussion highlighted the growing importance of data-driven health-care systems in shaping future U.S. health policy and improving outcomes for patients.
Watch the hearing here.