Which legislation amended the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)?

The legislation that amended the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is the HITECH Act. This act, officially known as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The HITECH Act was enacted with the goal of promoting the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology, which includes electronic health records (EHRs). One of the key components of this legislation was the establishment of the ONC, which is responsible for coordinating nationwide efforts to implement and use the interoperable health information technology infrastructure.

This coordination is vital as it helps ensure that health information systems can communicate effectively, improving patient care and outcomes across the healthcare system. By focusing on the accessibility and efficiency of health information, the HITECH Act plays a crucial role in modernizing healthcare delivery through technology.