Download New York White Paper: Meaningful use of HIE: New York State delivers true model

The Race to Connectivity Begins Click to Download NYC White Paper

In mid-March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded 16 states and qualified state-designated entities a total of $165 million under the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program. The second round of grants completed funding for this program, which dispersed a total of $550 million to every state and eligible territory in the United States. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius noted the importance of states as critical partners in improving and expanding electronic health record systems, and improving the secure exchange of EHRs, which would usher the U.S. healthcare system into the 21st century. David Blumenthal, MD, national coordinator for health IT, said the health information exchange (HIE) awards are critical to enabling care coordination and improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare.

Many states have either submitted or are in the process of submitting their strategic and operational plan to HHS for approval, which is required in order to draw down funds for the build out of HIEs. Some states are far more advanced than others, thanks to visionary leadership from legislators, healthcare systems and communities. New York State is clearly recognized as an early adopter of health IT and a leader in developing HIE policies and procedures. Its work serves as a model for its neighboring states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the rest of the country as the race to connectivity begins.