Maine Takes Next Step in Expanding Health Information Technology
Press Release
Governor John E. Baldacci has established two entities that are responsible for expanding and coordinating health information technology throughout the State.
In addition, the Governor learned today that HealthInfoNet, the State's designated health information exchange, has been awarded $4.7 million in federal Recovery Act funds. The money will be used by HealthInfoNet to provide support for health care providers who adopt health information technology in their practice.
These funds are in addition to $6.5 million received in February to develop and implement a statewide health information technology plan.
The Governor created by Executive Order a health information technology coordinator. Establishing such an appointment was a requirement of the federal Recovery Act. The Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Technology will operate from within the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance. The Order also establishes a Health Information Steering Committee that will advise the Coordinator.
"This is an important step in reaching our goal to increase quality and efficiency in health care delivery," said Governor Baldacci. "With our public and private partners, we have been working hard to improve care that all Maine people receive. All together, the additional funds and the creation of the State infrastructure to support and plan for collaborative efforts to advance health information technology will help Maine meet the goals of the State and the federal government."
The federal support through the Recovery Act funding allows the expansion of Maine's health information exchange, HealthInfoNet, to eventually reach all healthcare providers in the State.
The text of the Executive Order follows.
09 FY 10/11
April 1, 2010
An Order to Improve Health Information Exchange by Establishing the Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Health Information Technology Steering Committee
WHEREAS, on February 17, 2009 the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which contained the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH); and
WHEREAS, the HITECH Act includes a significant investment in health information technology and health information exchange to improve and expand opportunities to reach all health care providers in an effort to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance established a multi-stakeholder health information technology steering committee to coordinate opportunities arising from the HITECH Act, which has been meeting since May, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has recently awarded the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance a cooperative agreement to advance the goals of the HITECH Act and requires the appointment of a state Health Information Technology Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, effective coordination throughout state government and the private sector is important in implementing the goals of the HITECH Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby order the establishment of the Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Technology within the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance and the creation of the Health Information Technology Steering Committee as follows:
Purpose
The Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Technology shall:
* Serve as a focal point on health information technology (HIT) and health information exchange (HIE) policy and assure coherent, collaborative cross agency state HIT planning;
* Serve as a clearinghouse for all state HIT policy;
* Align HIT planning efforts with the State Health Plan;
* Coordinate ARRA HIT/HIE planning and implementation, and provide financial and regulatory oversight of HIT and HIE efforts and initiatives throughout the state;
* Develop and disseminate public information about HIT and HIE through partnerships with stakeholders; and
* Work collaboratively with HealthInfoNet, the State's designated health information exchange, or its successor, pursuant to the public-private partnership as outlined in the State HIT Plan.
To carry out the foregoing purpose and charge, the office is administered by a director and such staff as are necessary and appropriate to carry out its activities. The director is responsible for securing external funding and administering grants to support the purposes of the office. The director is authorized to take action as necessary to carry out the goals of the office as set forth in this Executive Order, including the goals of the State HIT Plan.
A Health Information Technology Steering Committee (HITSC) shall advise the Office of the State Coordinator for HIT in developing the vision, goals, and prioritization areas for advancing HIT and HIE across Maine and to develop appropriate governance, oversight, and accountability mechanisms to assure success. The HITSC shall present a draft state HIT Plan for approval by the Director of the Office of the State Coordinator for HIT, or his or her designee.
Membership and Support
The Committee shall consist of twenty-six (26) members, twenty-two (22) of whom are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director of the Office of the State Coordinator for HIT shall serve as Chair.
The Steering Committee Members appointed by the Governor shall include:
* The Commissioner of Labor, or designee
* The Director of the Office of Information Technology, or designee
* The Director of the Dirigo Health Agency/Maine Quality Forum, or designee
* The Director of DHHS/CDC or designee
* The Director of DHHS/Maine Care Services, or designee
* The Director of the Maine Health Data Organization, or designee
* The Director of the Office of the State Coordinator for HIT
* The Executive Director or designee of the State's designated health information exchange organization
* One individual with expertise in health information exchange and/or health information technology
* Two individuals representing health care providers
* One individual representing home health providers
* One individual representing hospital systems
* One individual representing federally qualified health care centers
* One individual with expertise in health care quality
* One individual representing behavioral health providers
* One representative of consumers
* One individual with expertise in the insurance industry
* One individual representing a business or businesses
* One individual with expertise in health care data information
* A representative of the university system
* A representative of the community college system
The President of the Senate may appoint two members of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House may appoint two members of the House of Representatives. Members appointed by the President of the Senate and by the Speaker of the House shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
The Committee may call on representatives of other state agencies or organizations not represented on the Committee to provide limited information or to participate fully in the Committee when, in the Committee's discretion, that person has responsibilities or expertise in a particular area that would be helpful to the work of the Committee. Staff support to the Committee shall be provided by the Office of the State Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance, the Department of Health and Human Services and other state agencies as needed.
Procedures
The Committee shall meet at times and places called by the Chair, and no less than once a month. The Committee shall establish sub-committees to address specific areas of HIT implementation as the need arises. The members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Executive Order is April 1, 2010.
John E. Baldacci
Governor
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