Date: 07/09/2009

Final
Colorado Regional Health Info Organization

HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:37 PM -- Colorado Regional Health Info Organization

The committee reconvened. Phyllis Albritton, Executive Director of the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO), introduced herself and distributed a copy of her presentation (Attachment E). She showed a video regarding electronic health information exchange. She described CORHIO's mission, which is to facilitate health information exchange to improve the health of all Coloradans. She described the role of CORHIO, which is to serve as both a coordinator of health information exchange, and a broker and provider of services, and explained that the CORHIO model accommodates existing health information systems. She discussed the status of health information exchange in Colorado today, noting that several communities have projects under development. A long-term goal of CORHIO is to ensure that health information systems work across states, as well.

090709 AttachE.pdf

01:51 PM

Ms. Albritton discussed the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and federal appropriations for health information technology. A total of about $34 billion is available for providers who adopt health information exchange. She further discussed the timing of ARRA funding and the providers who are eligible and ineligible to receive funding. She discussed the criteria for determining eligibility for incentives. The legislation requires providers to use health information technology in a "meaningful" way. The definition of "meaningful use" has not been determined. She discussed cash flow incentives for providers who adopt electronic health information and described a recent New Yorker article regarding health care costs (Attachment F). She responded to questions from the committee regarding health information exchange, and noted that there is no requirement for Medicare and Medicaid providers to use health information technology.

090709 AttachF.pdf

02:19 PM

Ms. Albritton responded to questions from Representative McCann regarding how CORHIO is funded. Ms. Albritton responded that CORHIO was originally funded through federal contracts and grants, and now the CORHIO is funded through grants from the Colorado Health Foundation. She noted that CORHIO may be able to access federal funds in the future as well. She noted that CORHIO's goal is to become financially self-sustaining.