Improving the secure availability and use of health information allows individuals to take ownership over their health, partner with their health care providers, and improve their quality of life and health. It strengthens the delivery of health care and long-term services and supports, and allows public health agencies to detect, track, manage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Information also fuels research and innovation, spurring advancements in scientific discovery. Health information technology (health IT) allows individuals and health care entities and providers, home- and community-based supports, and public health entities to electronically collect, share, and use health information. The term "health IT" includes a wide range of products, technologies, and services, such as electronic health records (EHRs), mobile and telehealth technology, cloud-based services, medical devices, and remote monitoring devices, assistive technologies, and sensors. Federal agencies provide direct care and health insurance, protect public health, fund health and human services for certain populations, invest in infrastructure, develop and implement policies and regulations, and advance groundbreaking research. Given this range of activities, the federal government is also positioned to improve health, health care, and reduce costs through the secure use of information and technology. The Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 2015-2020 (Plan) identifies the federal government's health IT priorities.

While this Plan focuses on federal strategies, achieving the vision and goals requires collaboration from state, local, and tribal governments. Efforts by health care entities and providers, public health entities, payers, technology developers, community-based nonprofit organizations, home-based supports, and academic institutions are also essential.