The U.S. government is making another effort, and the Ministry of Health and Human Services is soliciting blockchain white papers for healthcare and health research

Following the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense’s blockchain research, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), also known as the U.S. Department of Health, can no longer hold back and is currently soliciting research documents related to blockchain in healthcare and health research.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, HHS is seeking white papers on how to use blockchain technology for medical purposes. The submission deadline is June 29, with a final result expected later in July.

The only stipulations for white papers in the announcement are that the length of the white paper should not exceed 10 pages, and a researcher or group may submit no more than 3 documents .

Additionally, HHS requires that all white papers submitted provide readers with an education about the technology. They explain: "Submitted white papers should discuss the technical principles of cryptography and blockchain technology, examine how blockchain technology can be used to improve industry interoperability needs as described in the Nationwide Interoperability Roadmap, patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), precision medicine, and other health care delivery needs, and provide blockchain implementation recommendations."

The national interoperability roadmap was released last fall as part of an effort to achieve greater interoperability among U.S. health data networks.

The party whose white paper is finally adopted will be invited to present its work at the 'Blockchain and Healthcare Workshop', which will be jointly hosted by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Although no date was given for the workshop, the announcement did say that the winners' presentation would take place in late September.

This white paper solicitation is the first time HHS has sought projects related to blockchain technology. Prior to this, other departments of the US government, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, have been actively investigating the possible application of blockchain in their work.