ONC State Health Policy Consortium. Summary report on the PHR Ignite project

Abstract

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 provided substantial financial support for State and regional health information technology (IT) and health information exchange (HIE) activities. These funds also established the State Health Policy Consortium (SHPC) in 2010 to provide States with resources needed to develop solutions to challenges preventing or impeding HIE across State lines. ONC contracted with RTI International to administer the SHPC project. The work of the individual projects within the SHPC focused on practical solutions and regional exchange. While a careful approach to investigating issues and developing solutions was maintained in each project, the consortium consistently emphasized a singular vision to action—moving data.

One strategic goal of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is to empower individuals to improve their health and the health care system through health IT. With the growth in adoption of electronic records stimulated by the various HITECH programs, data to support patient empowerment objectives are increasingly available. Applications that allow patients to use these data can enable them to more actively participate in their own health care decisions and manage conditions. With increased adoption of Direct secure messaging standards and initiatives such as BlueButton+, patients may be more likely to access their health information, and have some control over the movement of information among providers who are not yet connected through HIE services. The concept of consumer-mediated exchange helps overcome traditional concerns about exchange, such as consent management and state differences in disclosure laws, in addition to supporting patient engagement.