SPOTLIGHT: States lead health IT charge

A vast majority of states are taking critical steps to drive improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare through information technology. An issue brief released last week by the independent, non-profit eHealth Initiative (eHI) notes that 38 state legislatures have introduced 121 bills during 2005 and 2006 that specifically call for the use of health information technology (HIT) to improve patient care. Thirty-six bills passed in 24 states and were signed into law during 2005 and 2006. The eHI report also indicates that 10 executive orders were issued by U.S. governors across the nation, calling for the development of strategies, plans and recommendations for using HIT and health information exchange to improve health and healthcare. Report

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