NEW: Mass. First to Create Statewide Health Information Database

Friday, August 03, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Health Team

Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to begin creating a statewide health information exchange, thanks to a $16.9 million federal grant. When completed, providers, hospitals and others involved in patient care will be able to exchange clinical data via a secure statewide network.

Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to receive federal funding participation to create a Health Information Exchange. This new funding will complement additional efforts underway to support Health Information Technology advances in the Commonwealth.

When fully implemented, this technology will support our goals of providing high quality care while slowing the growth of costs,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The health care industry is a vital part of the Massachusetts economy, and I thank the Obama Administration for the continued support.”

Funding for the first of the three phases of the project was approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The $16.9 million is a combination of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant funding and Medicaid funds.

“This exchange will serve as a statewide health care information highway, that will connect every payer, provider, and patient to a single technology backbone,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. “This will create the infrastructure providers and hospitals need to move towards a more integrated, global model of care.”
Phase 1 of the Health Information Exchange will establish the project management team, governance structure and operations staff to develop the HIE’s technical infrastructure. Phase 1 of the project is targeted to go live later this year.

"Massachusetts has always paved the way when it comes to health care and this is another example," said U.S. Senator John Kerry. "Investing in health information technology is a smart way to create jobs, improve care, and reduce costs. This investment will create the infrastructure that doctors, insurers and patients across the state need to share information electronically in a secure environment."
The health information technology initiative is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s comprehensive efforts to promote quality health care through the use of technology.