AHIMA Throws Support Behind Blue Button Initiative

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is throwing its support behind the Office for the National Coordinator of Health IT’s (ONC) Blue Button initiative, the association announced this week at its annual conference in Atlanta.

AHIMA said it will embark on a campaign to encourage its component state associations to get members to support the Blue Button initiative. The Blue Button initiative, which empowers patients to view, download, and transmit their record and give it to their healthcare provider, has gotten support from notable government agencies including the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the latter of which has used it prominently.

“We’re pleased to announce our support for this important national initiative, and we’re certain our members will rally around more patient access to health information,” AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, said in a statement. “The Blue Button campaign aligns perfectly with AHIMA’s mission of making health information available where and when it’s needed.”