Congressman Bentz Introduces the Public Access to HHS Health Data Act

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) introduced yesterday the Public Access to HHS Health Data Act (H.R. 10616), a bill that would require The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a centralized repository of all publicly available data.

While the HHS maintains a large portfolio of publicly available information, it can be difficult and confusing to navigate. HHS currently lists tens of thousands of distinct data sets across multiple websites. 

This act would require HHS to create and maintain a centralized website where all of HHS’s publicly available information can be easily found and accessed. 

The bill would also require HHS to report to Congress on the number and types of datasets made available, how frequently those datasets are updated, and barriers preventing additional datasets from being published.

Said Congressman Bentz: “We all want to improve our healthcare system, and access to data is absolutely essential to these efforts. My Public Access to HHS Health Data Act will help all groups more quickly access this essential information.”

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