Electronic health initiatives are a high priority on the state level, but challenges remain in the areas of privacy, security and funding, according to State E-Health Activities in 2007: Findings from a State Survey, Commonwealth Fund (New York) report.
Prepared by a team of researchers from Health Management Associates, George Washington University, and the National Governors Association, the report finds that:
· State governors' two highest e-health priorities over the next two years are fostering the development of electronic health information exchanges and ensuring interconnectivity among health care providers.
· All states place a high priority on e-health: nearly 70 percent of states report "very significant" e-health activities.
· E-health applications are enabling states to implement initiatives to promote quality improvement and greater transparency, and public-private consortiums are aiding the creation of standardized measures of utilization and performance.
