The White House unveiled a new federal initiative that allows Americans to share personal health records across multiple platforms, including apps operated by major technology companies.
While officials promise improved access to medical information, privacy experts are sounding alarms about potential risks.
Big Tech Companies Join Federal Health Initiative
More than 60 companies have agreed to participate in the program, including technology giants Google, Amazon, and Apple, alongside healthcare organizations like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health.
Visit cms.gov to view the full list of involved companies and their respective categories.
Involved Tech Companies
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will oversee the system, which focuses on diabetes management, weight control, and AI-powered patient assistance tools.
President Trump announced the program during a White House event, stating that America’s healthcare networks needed a “high tech upgrade.”
He emphasized that existing systems are often slow and incompatible, making this initiative a step toward digital modernization.
How the New System Works
Patients must opt into the program before their medical records can be shared across participating platforms. Once enrolled, health data can flow between different apps and healthcare systems that joined the initiative.
For example, fitness apps like Noom could access laboratory results to provide AI-driven weight loss recommendations.
Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic from Cleveland Clinic explained that patients traveling for treatment often struggle to obtain complete medical records from various providers.
The new system would eliminate these barriers, potentially preventing treatment delays and misdiagnoses caused by incomplete patient histories.
The program will also feature a list of recommended apps on Medicare.gov designed to help people manage chronic diseases and select healthcare providers.
Privacy Experts Raise Red Flags
Digital privacy advocates express serious concerns about data security and patient protection. Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor specializing in public health, warned that patients should worry about their medical records being used in harmful ways.
Jeffrey Chester from the Center for Digital Democracy described the initiative as “an open door for the further use and monetization of sensitive and personal health information.”
He noted that medical records contain extremely sensitive details, including doctors’ notes about private conversations and mental health histories.
The federal government has done little to regulate health apps or Telehealth programs, adding to privacy concerns. CMS already maintains data on more than 140 million Americans enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
And here’s something else to think about – What’s next after personal health data? We’re seeing big tech getting allowed to bypass copyright law in the US, and in the UK authorities are using facial recognition and strict age verification.
Previous Attempts and Future Timeline
The government attempted a similar but less ambitious electronic record program in 2018 that never reached completion. The current initiative differs because it has secured participation from major tech companies that weren’t involved previously.
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Officials expect the system to launch in early 2026, with participating companies pledging to deliver results in the first quarter of that year.
Final Thoughts
This health data sharing program represents a significant expansion of big tech’s access to personal information.
Current federal law under HIPAA only requires breach notifications rather than imposing meaningful penalties on violators, while AI companies could misuse medical histories for profit. Although participation remains voluntary now, there’s no guarantee this won’t change in future months.
Americans should carefully weigh whether convenience justifies exposing their most sensitive health information to big tech companies that have repeatedly demonstrated poor data protection practices.
For more information on this story refer to the report from the Associated Press (AP) and the CMS press release including their video below.
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