National health information network plans announced

Healthcare Financial Management, July, 2005

On June 6, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced development plans for a national health information network and the creation of a healthcare IT standards federal advisory commission. On June 7, HHS issued requests for four proposals for various elements of the network.

Leavitt also announced that he would chair a new 17-member commission, known as the American Health Information Community, whose primary task will be facilitating development of healthcare IT interconnectivity standards. The commission's other charges include preparing a short list of projects meant to quickly demonstrate the benefits of IT in health care and making recommendations on the architecture and design of the national network, privacy and security, and product certification. The commission, set to expire in five years, also must select a private-sector organization as its successor.

Several useful reports were published in June that relate to investment in and implementation of healthcare IT. Among them was Health Information Technology: HHS Is Taking Steps to Develop a National Strategy, by the Government Accountability Office. It includes lessons learned from the departments of defense and veterans affairs, which operate the largest healthcare delivery networks in the nation, and other countries that have begun national health IT infrastructure initiatives. Some of the key lessons, which are applicable to any healthcare delivery system IT initiative, include obtaining the endorsement of top leadership, adopting standards, addressing stakeholder needs, and deploying solutions in small increments and building on successes.

To read the report, go to www.gao.gov/new.items/ d05628.pdf.

More information on HHS's IT plans and the request for proposals may be obtained at www.hhs.gov/healthit.>

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