Oracle, Microsoft to partner on digital tools as Trump plans Medicare modernization push
Top U.S. technology firms including Oracle and Microsoft are set to join forces with the Trump administration in a push to overhaul digital access to health care data for millions of older and disabled Americans, according to people familiar with the matter.
The announcement is expected Wednesday at the White House, timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. The initiative will focus on building modern digital tools that simplify how patients view and share their government health data — a move the administration says could make navigating Medicare easier for over 60 million enrollees.
Silicon Valley returns to the West Wing
It’s a familiar scene — the federal government calling on big tech to modernize sprawling systems. But this time, the spotlight is on health care. And the politics are delicate.
Executives from Oracle and Microsoft are among those expected to sign formal pledges of support, sources said. These pledges will kickstart collaborations aimed at improving interoperability across Medicare’s digital services — essentially making it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to control their health records.
The White House declined to comment ahead of the announcement. But according to people briefed on the effort, the pledge focuses on building “user-first” experiences for Medicare beneficiaries — tools that make personal health data more visible, transferable, and secure.
It’s not yet clear whether other major firms like Amazon, Apple, or Google will be involved.
From campaign trail to Medicare reform
Wednesday’s initiative is more than a policy rollout — it’s political symbolism.
President Trump, who is widely expected to run for re-election in 2028, is expected to deliver remarks at the White House event, positioning the initiative as part of a broader promise to modernize government and reduce bureaucratic red tape for seniors. The timing is no accident either — July 30 marks 60 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments into law.
Some observers see the announcement as an effort to reclaim health care policy as a legacy touchpoint for Trump, who was often criticized for lack of progress on long-term reforms during his first term.
Still, this latest move appears more pragmatic than sweeping. And with health data privacy and digital access becoming key issues for an aging population, the stakes are very real.
Familiar faces, familiar tensions
One key figure tied to the initiative is Seema Verma — a former Trump-era CMS Administrator who now heads Oracle’s Health and Life Sciences division. Verma has reportedly been invited back to the White House for Wednesday’s announcement.
During her time at CMS, Verma championed “Blue Button 2.0,” a program designed to let Medicare beneficiaries download their claims data. Her involvement now suggests continuity in focus, albeit with the backing of private tech muscle.
But not everyone is cheering.
Some privacy advocates warn that digitizing sensitive health data always comes with risks — especially if partnerships between government and tech firms aren’t tightly regulated.
• Medicare currently serves 66 million Americans
• Blue Button 2.0 launched in 2018 as CMS’s open API effort
• Oracle acquired Cerner in 2022, deepening its health tech footprint
• CMS received over 1,200 public comments this May about digital modernization
Groups like the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) have urged transparency in how health data will be stored, used, and shared under new systems.
The digital divide isn’t just about access
A key challenge — and one some tech executives acknowledge privately — is that many Medicare recipients aren’t exactly “digital natives.” That means ease of use will be critical.
“The interface has to be intuitive. Otherwise we’re just adding layers to an already confusing process,” said a former CMS official familiar with the project. “Think of a 76-year-old in rural Arkansas trying to pull their claims data — it’s got to work for them.”
To that end, the initiative reportedly includes plans to fund usability studies, focus groups, and public testing before any major rollouts. There’s also talk of building integration with devices already common among older Americans, like iPads and Alexa-enabled home assistants.
Still, experts warn that digital access alone won’t fix systemic issues like outdated reimbursement structures, confusing coverage rules, or high out-of-pocket costs.
Politics and pledges
What’s notable about this latest move isn’t just the policy itself, but how it reflects changing tides in the tech world’s relationship with Washington.
Just a few years ago, many Silicon Valley leaders kept the Trump administration at arm’s length, wary of immigration bans, antitrust threats, and political optics. But health care — with its enormous costs, technical demands, and bipartisan urgency — is proving to be a bridge.
This isn’t just a Medicare initiative; it’s a strategic alignment.
And for tech firms looking to grow their health portfolios, government cooperation may be more valuable than ever.
