Mass. Gen. Laws. Ann. ch. 40J, § 6D - Massachusetts e-Health Institute

The law establishes a Massachusetts E-Health Institute, which is to disseminate health information technology across the state.  The E-health institute is run by a health information technology council and is tasked with increasing the adoption of electronic health records across provider offices.  The Council must have 9 members from various backgrounds, including law, health policy, and information technology.  The E-health Institute must facilitate the adoption of health information technology by increasing the use of electronic health records by providers to improve health care delivery and coordination, by creating an interoperable statewide electronic health record network, and by promoting the dissemination of other technologies that will improve health care quality and reduce cost.  The director of the Institute must formulate a statewide electronic health record plan, and must include a community based implementation strategy.  The plan must allow for the following capabilities:

• Allow the seamless transfer of information among health care providers, health plans and other authorized users;
• Allow consumers to have secure electronic access to their health records;
• Meet all state and federal privacy ad security regulations;
• Allow for interoperability;
• Give patients the option of selecting which providers can disseminate individually identifiable health information;
• Have public health reporting capabilities;
• Allow the reporting of other information as needed.