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-News Release-
Governor’s Panel Charts Course for
E-Health
The Arizona
Health-e Connection Steering Committee, recently appointed by
Governor Napolitano, today has started down the path toward
electronic health connectivity for Arizona Citizens. Formed by
executive order, this committee is responsible for charting a course
for simplifying the secure exchange of health information using
technology.
"Arizona is one of
the first states to develop a roadmap to advance electronic health
solutions statewide,” said Governor Janet Napolitano. “The efforts
we are making now will pay future dividends in the form of improved
quality of care, increased efficiency and lower health care costs."
The Arizona
Health-e Connection Steering Committee is co-chaired by Chris
Cummiskey, State Chief Information Officer, and Beth
Schermer, an attorney specializing in
health policy. The Committee is made up of CEOs and executive
directors of health care associations, major employers, hospitals
and other leaders of health care across the state.
“The Health-e
Connection project has broad support within the health care
community,” said Schermer. “We have
received an overwhelming number of requests to participate in
developing the roadmap from providers, employers, insurance
companies, and consumers. It is exciting to see so many people
wanting to be involved in the Governor’s initiative.”
At today’s meeting,
the Steering Committee heard from national and local health experts
and discussed plans for developing a roadmap to facilitate the
creation of digital medical records and the interoperable exchange
of medical data.
“Arizona is on the
path to allow physicians, hospitals, employers and health plans to
discuss local issues and share innovative solutions for improving
health care through health information exchange,” said Janet
Marchibroda, CEO of the
eHealth Initiative. “By sharing
knowledge at the community level, the Health-e Connection Steering
Committee is moving health information exchange efforts from ‘talk’
to ‘action.’”
Additional
information regarding the Arizona Health-e Connection Steering
Committee including links to Governor Napolitano’s executive order
and a membership roster for the steering committee is available at:
http://www.azgita.gov/tech_news/2005/ehealth/E_Health.htm .
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