Trump admin to launch private health tracking system with tech giants

UPDATED: Jul 31, 2025 03:38 IST

The Trump administration is pushing an initiative for millions of Americans to upload personal health data and medical records on new apps and systems run by private tech companies, promising it will make it easier to access health records and monitor wellness.

The initiative with more than 60 big firms, including leading tech giants like Google, Amazon, Open AI as well as prominent hospital systems like the Cleveland Clinic, will convene at the White House on Wednesday afternoon to discuss what the administration is calling a “digital health ecosystem.” Trump made remarks in the White House event titled 'Making Health Technology Great Again'.

He termed it as an attempt to "Kill the Clipboard" and digitise the personal health records. "For decades, America's healthcare networks have been overdue for a high-tech update and that's what we are doing. With today's announcement, we take a major step to bring health care into the digital age". Trump announced the official launch of the CMS of the digital health tech eco system.

"Today, the dream of easily transportable electronic medical records finally become a reality". The new health care tracking system will focus on diabetes and weight management, conversational AI that helps patients, and digital tools, like QR codes and apps, that would register patients for check-ins or track medications.

The US health department has stated that 60 companies have signed on to work with the system and have pledged to deliver the program to American citizens by the first quarter of 2026.

HOW WILL THE SYSTEM FUNCTION?

The system will be largely operated and maintained by the federal government through the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The patients will need to volunteer and opt in to have their medical records and data shared, which as per the CMS will be kept secured.

When the patient comes in contact with the system, their medical records could be shared across health systems or apps that will be a part of the new health tracking system.

There are, however, growing concerns about the privacy of the medical records of patients. Lawrence Gostin, a professor of law from Georgetown university who specialises in public health has commented on the same.

“Patients across America should be very worried that their medical records are going to be used in ways that harm them and their families.” Jeffrey Chester, the executive Director of the Centre for Digital Democracy (CDD) said that the scheme is "an open door for the further use and monetisation of sensitive and personal health information".

Amid such concerns among experts and tech professionals, Trump stated that the system will enable patients' easy transmission of electronic medical records from one doctor to another despite different network systems. Trump stated that the new system will enable patients to easily "access their own personal health records."

Furthermore, Trump stated that the system will be "opt in and there will be no centralised government run database which everyone is concerned about." Addressing the concerns about maintaining the privacy of the records, he claimed that the personal records will be be personal and "very very quiet and the doctors and patients will remain in control."

The initiative, spearheaded by an administration that has already freely shared highly personal data about Americans in ways that have tested legal bounds, could put patients’ desires for more convenience at their doctor’s office on a collision course with their expectations that their medical information be kept private.

- Ends

With inputs from Associated Press

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