| Description |
The term "smart disclosure" refers to releasing data that empowers consumers to make better informed decisions. The Administration
has made great progress implementing this initiative. In March 2012, the Smart Disclosure Summit brought together innovators
from inside and outside of government to share best practices and practical advice on how to enhance smart disclosure activities
within government. And in February 2013, the Administration launched the Smart Disclosure Community at Consumer.Data.gov.
The Community is a centralized platform containing more than 500 smart disclosure data sets and resources from departments
and agencies across the U.S. Government. Entrepreneurs and innovators can access data collected by the Federal Government
for free, which is helping to spur economic prosperity and create consumer applications, products, and other services that
help consumers make informed decisions. One startup, for example, has utilized downloadable information from HHS about the
location and characteristics of health care providers to fuel a mobile application that has helped eight million people find
the best local doctors and hospitals that meet their needs. In addition to saving lives, the startup has become a job creator,
hiring more than ninety people. Smart disclosure's potential for unlocking innovation and economic prosperity is still in
its early stages. The Administration looks forward to its continuing work to expand the use of smart disclosure across the
Federal Government.
|
The government already discloses data to inform decision-making in many areas by, for example, providing access to comprehensive
tools to facilitate the search for insurance options best suited to an individual's specific needs. To build on this work,
OMB recently issued guidance to Federal agencies on "smart disclosure." We have also established a task force dedicated to
promoting better disclosure policies. In response to this guidance, agencies and departments will work over the next year
to ensure the timely release of complex information in standardized, machine-readable formats that enable consumers to make
informed decisions in numerous domains.
|
