---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300jj–13"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300jj–13"
heading: "Setting priorities for standards adoption"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300jj-13"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XXVIII — Health Information Technology and Quality"
  - "Part A — Promotion of Health Information Technology"
---

# §300jj–13. Setting priorities for standards adoption

- (a) **Identifying priorities—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 6 months after the date on which the [HIT Advisory Committee](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=7) first meets, the [National Coordinator](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=11) shall periodically convene the [HIT Advisory Committee](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=7) to—
    - (A) identify priority uses of [health information technology](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5), focusing on priorities—
      - (i) arising from the implementation of the incentive [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for the meaningful use of [certified EHR technology](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=1), the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, Alternative Payment Models, the [Hospital](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=1) Value-Based Purchasing [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), and any other value-based payment [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) determined appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c);
      - (ii) related to the quality of patient care;
      - (iii) related to public health;
      - (iv) related to [clinical research](/usc/42/284d.md?p=b);
      - (v) related to the privacy and security of electronic [health information](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=4);
      - (vi) related to innovation in the field of [health information technology](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5);
      - (vii) related to patient safety;
      - (viii) related to the usability of [health information technology](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5);
      - (ix) related to individuals’ access to electronic [health information](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=4); and
      - (x) other priorities determined appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c);
    - (B) identify existing standards and implementation specifications that support the use and [exchange](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-21) of electronic [health information](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=4) needed to meet the priorities identified in [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A); and
    - (C) publish a report summarizing the findings of the analysis conducted under subparagraphs [(A)](#a-1-A) and [(B)](#a-1-B) and make appropriate recommendations.
  - (2) **Prioritization—** In identifying such standards and implementation specifications under [paragraph (1)(B)](#a-1-B), the [HIT Advisory Committee](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=7) shall prioritize standards and implementation specifications developed by consensus-based standards development organizations.
  - (3) **Guidelines for review of existing standards and specifications—** In consultation with the consensus-based entity described in [section 1395aaa of this title](/usc/42/1395aaa.md) and other appropriate Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), the analysis of existing standards under [paragraph (1)(B)](#a-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](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5) to capture, use, and [exchange](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-21) structured electronic [health information](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=4).
- (b) **Review of adopted standards—**
  - (1) **In general—** Beginning 5 years after December 13, 2016, and every 3 years thereafter, the [National Coordinator](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=11) shall convene stakeholders to review the existing set of adopted standards and implementation specifications and make recommendations with respect to whether to—
    - (A) maintain the use of such standards and implementation specifications; or
    - (B) phase out such standards and implementation specifications.
  - (2) **Priorities—** The [HIT Advisory Committee](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=7), 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](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5), standards, and implementation specifications to support those priorities.
- (c) **Rule of construction—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the use or adoption of novel standards that improve upon the existing [health information technology](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=5) infrastructure and facilitate the secure [exchange](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-21) of [health information](/usc/42/300jj.md?p=4).

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXX, § 3003, as added Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title IV, § 4003(f), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1175.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 300jj–13, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXX, § 3003, as added Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title XIII, § 13101, Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 238, related to the establishment, duties, and membership of the HIT Standards Committee, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title IV, § 4003(e)(1), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1168.