On December 8, 2015 the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a brief titled Improving Health Through Interoperability and Information Sharing. The HITECH Act of 2009 brought forth $30 billion in federal investments for health centers to adopt electronic health records (EHRs). The process, however has been slow and arduous for many institutions. BPC’s brief explains the vast potential benefits of interoperable and electronic information sharing while outlining collaborative efforts needed by the private and public sector.
In order to delve into the finer details of the brief, the BPC hosted an interactive discussion revealing both the importance and the challenges of implementing a nationwide, interoperable health information technology (health IT) system. Those engaged in discussion included individuals from private and public sectors, all with a stake in improved interoperability. The speakers included Janet Marchibroda, from the BPC; Karen DeSalvo, MD, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC); Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA); Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Jeff Allen, the Executive Director of Friends of Cancer Research; Arien Malec, Vice President of McKesson Corporation; Mike Schatzlein, MD, Senior Vice President and Group Operating Executive for Indiana, Jacksonville and Tennessee, Ascension Health; Steven Weinberger, MD, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American College of Physicians; and Andy Slavitt, the Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
View the full report as a PDF here
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