More than 1,400 organizations have signed California's data-sharing agreement (DSA) by the Jan. 31 deadline. Most California health entities are required by law to sign the DSA effective immediately.
The Data Exchange Framework (DxF) is the first-ever statewide data-sharing agreement of its kind in California. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services (CalHHS) says it is key to achieving the state’s plans for transforming healthcare, expanding coverage, and improving connections between healthcare and social services.
“With over 1,400 organizations already joining the DxF, we’re well on our way to transforming healthcare in California,” said Mark Ghaly, M.D., secretary of CalHHS, in a statement. “The DxF will allow us to fill in gaps of understanding about individuals’ health and to target interventions aimed at addressing the social determinants of health. Data exchange will be an essential part of the state’s efforts to equip providers and California health and social services with the information needed to address and understand health inequities and disparities, especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities. Not to mention that empowering people with the data they need to advocate and seek the services they most need is exactly what helps us move closer to a healthy California for all.”
Organizations that have signed the data-sharing agreement are made up of at least 114 hospitals, 519 medical groups and physician practices, 257 outpatient facilities and urgent care clinics, 75 healthcare service plans and disability insurers, 72 community-based organizations, and a wide variety of other healthcare organizations and voluntary signers.
Jan. 31 was the deadline by which many California entities were required by state law to have signed the agreement, and many other health and social services organizations are expected to join these organizations in the coming days and weeks to meet their statutory obligations as established by the law known as AB-133.
Some entities, including physician practices with fewer than 25 physicians, acute psychiatric hospitals, and rural general acute care hospitals, will have until Jan. 31, 2026, to fully implement the DxF.
“The Data Exchange Framework is a giant leap forward for healthcare in California—access to information makes care safer and always serves to enhance quality, enabling providers to deliver the care that patients need,” said William Isenberg, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Sutter Health, in a statement. “Sutter Health is proud to sign the data-sharing agreement on behalf of all of our hospitals, laboratories, and our health plan and will continue to share data for all Sutter Health entities where clinical care is provided. Promoting secure and medically appropriate sharing of such information facilitates the best possible care for all Californians.”
CalHHS also has created a DxF seal for organizations that sign the agreement to display to show their participation, and demonstrate their commitment to advancing health equity and improving whole-person care across California.
To assist entities in meeting their Data Exchange Framework obligations under the law, Educational Initiative Grants have been awarded to associations to provide guidance on how entities can sign the DxF DSA if they have yet to do so.
