The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) applauds last week’s announcement by HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell that the companies that provide 90 percent of electronic health records used by U.S. hospitals, the nation’s five largest private health care systems, and more than a dozen leading professional associations and stakeholder groups have pledged to implement three core commitments to improve the flow of health information to consumers and health care providers:
Consumer Access — To help consumers easily and securely access their electronic health information, direct it to any desired location, learn how their information can be shared and used, and be assured that this information will be effectively and safely used to benefit their health and that of their community
No Information Blocking — To help providers share individuals’ health information for care with other providers and their patients whenever permitted by law and not block electronic health information
Standards — Implement federally recognized, national interoperability standards, policies, guidance, and practices for electronic health information and adopt best practices, including those related to privacy and security
For More Information:
Fact Sheet
List of individual organizations that have made commitments and their pledges
Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 2015-2020
Connecting Health and Care for the Nation: A Shared Nationwide Interoperability Roadmap
See the full text of the HHS press release.