August 18, 2009 By News Report
"The HITECH Act effectively blended health policy with technology policy, and state CIOs are uniquely positioned to help shape these policies in the future to align with their state's enterprise architecture." -- South Dakota CIO Otto Doll (pictured) head of NASCIO's Health IT Working Group.
Both President Obama and former President Bush endorsed the computerization of health records as a way to reduce errors and save lives. Through both administrations, state CIOs were involved in state-level Health IT efforts. Now, with part of the ARRA funds allocated to health IT through the HITECH Act, the game has changed.
As pointed out by the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO) money is now available for health IT but with strings attached, and state CIOs have a role to play in the new federal initiatives. "The passage of the HITECH Act essentially merged health policy with technology policy across state government and state CIOs must play a key role in HIE development and implementation," says NASCIO's new publication HITECH in the States: Action List for State CIOs.
CIOs can have a significant impact on health IT initiatives, says the publication, by:
"State CIOs are key stakeholders within state health information exchange," said South Dakota CIO Otto Doll, chair of NASCIO's Health IT Working Group. "The HITECH Act effectively blended health policy with technology policy, and state CIOs are uniquely positioned to help shape these policies in the future to align with their state's enterprise architecture. The health community sees the necessity for modernizing healthcare through information technology," said Doll. "Now CIOs must be involved to properly align IT to achieve administrative efficiency and improved quality of service in healthcare."
Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces
427 Members
77 Discussions
84 Files
Latest members Become a member
Digital Communities members get access to our collaboration task forces
669 Members
145 Discussions
150 Files
Latest members Become a member
Based off of discussions of the Digital Communities Large Jurisdiction Chief Information Officer (CIO) Working Group, this white paper aims to answer the question, "In today's economic, political and business environment, what constitutes a successful relationship between government and industry?" Cause for Optimism identifies and clarifies the issues that separate government and industry, and begins to find an answer to the question necessary for both to enjoy a successful and prosperous future.
Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.
Digital Communities News In Your Inbox
Subscribe to Digital Communities
Digital Communities (DC) is e.Republic‘s local government program. The particular strength of DC is its focus on encouraging collaboration and creating productive relationships between and among cities, counties, regions and select private sector companies uniquely positioned to help improve the delivery of public services.
Subscribe | View Digital Issue