Coalition urges action against systems blocking interoperability

In response to a report on lack of interoperability, the Health IT Now Coalition is calling for action against the companies that have benefited.

The report, Redirecting Innovation in U.S. Health Care: Options to Decrease Spending and Increase Value, found several technologies that could significantly improve health outcomes and lower costs for patients if only the lack of interoperability didn’t stand in their way. The RAND report specifically notes that some systems proactively block the sharing of clinical and administrative information for pecuniary business interests.

“As the Health IT Now Coalition has long stated, walled gardens and data blocking are obstacles to interoperability and transformation to a technology enabled health system,” said Joel White, executive director of the organization, in a release. “The RAND report reiterates what those in the health IT industry know well: Interoperability must be a priority if we truly want to improve patient outcomes, decrease costs and achieve a technology-enabled system.”

Taxpayers have subsidized, to the tune of $24 billion, these "systems that block health information in a program Congress created to share health information,” said White. “We call on HHS and Congress to use their authority to investigate business practices that inhibit or prohibit data sharing in federal incentive programs. We also call on HHS to work to decertify systems that require additional modules, expenses and customization to share data. We look forward to working with HHS and Congress to ensure taxpayers and patients benefit from open data sharing.”