HIMSS: Whole lotta state health IT activity going on
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The average number of enacted laws each year was 62 with the fewest (32) in 2010 and the most (76) in 2007, the Chicago-based organization noted in the June report. The number of laws enacted in 2011 was 74.
However, legislative activity around health IT during this period was not uniform. Texas, Louisana and Minnesota enacted the majority of health IT-related legislation; with Louisiana and Texas in response to both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hitting their coasts in 2005. “The common themes in these states were interoperable health records, EMRs, financing and authorizing health IT-related agencies.”
While states are driving change through collaboration and innovative models, there are some challenges to be expected. For example, the expansion in Medicaid enrollees due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, if it’s constitutionally is upheld in court, should affect each state. Yet, according to the report, the precision and validity of enrollment estimates made to date is unknown.
In addition, the success and sustainability of health information exchanges (HIEs) are a common challenge for states. “Stage 2 meaningful use will drive much more rapid development but that is no guarantee of success of state-run HIEs,” the report noted. “There has always been a concern about state-run HIEs being able to compete with private options that are emerging as the market organizes.”
The report also noted concern over the lack of health literacy among the general population which must be addressed and lessened “if the other improvements in the healthcare delivery network are to live up to their expectations. The concern is we will never be able to deal with the major healthcare issues we face if we do not engage with patients and their families to take ownership and responsibility for effectively implementing the steps outlined by providers for dealing with chronic illnesses.”
The report concluded with the following recommendations to states:
- States should continue to leverage their state-level HIE and state-level health IT infrastructure in new and innovative ways. Close working partnerships between state governmental entities, federally supported regional extension centers, Beacon communities, Medicaid offices, professional trade associations and HIMSS national and local chapters will expedite the implementation of health IT in the states.
- Health IT transcends political lines and should be on the federal and state agendas over the next several years in order to continue the current momentum and improvement of care quality and healthcare spending.
- Encourage states to facilitate, engage and educate patients and consumers with the delivery of their healthcare services and promote overall increase in health literacy.
- State-level HIEs need to be prepared to shift their business models as federal and state health reform policies continue to shift from fee-for-service to pay-for-quality models to maintain sustainability.