The Trump administration is partnering with Google, Apple, Amazon, and OpenAI on a national initiative to create an interoperable health records framework, a plan designed to give patients direct control over their own medical data, as first reported by Bloomberg.

• EHR revamp: At a White House event, President Trump declared the "dream of easily transportable, electronic medical records finally becomes a reality." The administration’s new health chiefs, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, framed the effort as a move to empower consumers, with Kennedy stating, "We’re tearing down digital walls."

• Killing the clipboard: The plan is built on a new "CMS Interoperability Framework" that over 60 companies have already backed. According to CMS, this includes commitments from over 20 health networks and several major EHR vendors who have vowed to help "kill the clipboard" with digital check-ins. A new national provider directory, faster data access via Blue Button, and an app library on Medicare.gov will power the new system.

The push for interoperable health records is a challenge that has stumped previous administrations, making the 2026 timeline particularly ambitious. Despite promises of a more secure framework, The New York Times reports that experts have already raised privacy and security concerns about creating a centralized network for sensitive health data.

• An ambitious prescription: The administration is betting that an alliance with Big Tech can finally solve the long-standing problem of fragmented health data, but it will have to navigate deep-seated privacy worries and a history of slow progress.

• Also on our radar: The new health tech initiative grew from a public request for input issued in May, and you can see the full list of early adopters who have pledged support. The effort is being spearheaded by former health-tech executives from companies like Palantir who recently joined the administration.