Title: An act relating to health information technology.

Brief Description: Adopting health information technology to improve quality of care.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Kastama, Franklin, Parlette, Thibaudeau, Kline and McAuliffe; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/25/06.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: The Washington Health Information Advisory Board (WHIAB) was created by legislation passed in 2005. The Washington State Health Care Authority and the WHIAB are to assess existing information technology systems of health care providers, state agencies, and third party payers, identify current national trends in health information systems, determine feasibility of connecting existing systems, and identify available government or private grants for the study or implementation of health information systems.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature intends to encourage Washington hospitals to adopt health information technologies by the year 2012. The Washington State Health Care Authority is to promote the adoption of health information technology systems which facilitate diagnosis and treatment, reduce duplication, are efficient, improve consumer access to health information, and improve health outcomes. The Health Care Authority is to coordinate a strategy for adopting health information technology systems using the final report and recommendations from WHIAB. The WHIAB final report must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2006.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Washington is ahead of other states in regards to its efforts in this area. Hospitals should be encouraged to improve in this area. This will help hospitals tell patients who they can expect a bill from. This will save money and advance the quality of health services.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Dr. Steve Tarnoff, Group Health; Karen Merriken, Group Health; Christina Hulet, Office of the Governor; Alexis Wilson, MultiCare; Tom Byron, WSHA.