President Bush launches electronic health record initiative

Healthcare Financial Management, June, 2004

President Bush directed HHS to create the new position of national health information technology coordinator by an executive order issued on April 27. The national coordinator is charged with providing "leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure," with the goal of establishing electronic health records for all Americans within 10 years. On May 6, HHS secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the appointment of David J. Brailer, MD, PhD, to this position.

The national coordinator also is charged with improving healthcare quality, appropriateness, safety, efficiency, and coordination; improving market competition by improving the availability of information about costs, quality, and outcomes; and protecting patients' health information.

As part of the initiative, HHS is to report to the president on incentive options in HHS programs to encourage adoption of interoperable health information technology. The president's 2005 budget proposes $50 million in new grants to support state and local efforts to develop systems for exchanging health information and another $50 million for continuing research begun this year into how information technology can improve healthcare quality and safety.

To read the April 27 executive order, go to www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/ 04/20040427-4.html.

To read about the HHS appointment to this position, go to www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/ 20040506.html