BILL REQ. #:  S-0342.1 

Read first time 01/12/2005.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to electronic medical records and health information technologies; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The Washington state health care authority shall appoint a Washington health information infrastructure advisory board composed of seven to twelve members.
     (2) Membership shall include representatives of the provider community, information technology experts, health care policy experts, consumers, and the agency medical directors group.
     (3) The authority shall appoint the chair of the advisory board.
     (4) The members of the advisory board shall receive no compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The Washington state health care authority, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall develop and implement a strategy for the adoption and use of electronic medical records and health information systems that are consistent with emerging national standards and promote interoperability of health information systems. The strategy should be designed to promote greater adoption of electronic medical record information systems among the state's health care providers, improve the quality of care, reduce medical errors, and enable patients to make better decisions about their own health care.
     (2) The authority, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall identify obstacles to the implementation of an effective health information infrastructure in the state and provide policy recommendations to remove or minimize those obstacles.
     (3) The authority shall advise appropriate parties within the legislature and the executive branch on issues related to the development and implementation of a health information infrastructure.
     (4) The authority, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall ensure that the strategy and plan preserve the privacy and security of health information, as required by state and federal law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The Washington state health care authority shall provide staff support to the advisory board. In addition, all agencies under the control of the governor are directed, and all other agencies are requested, to render full assistance and cooperation to the advisory board.
     (2) The authority may enter into contracts that are necessary or proper to carry out this act to support the advisory board and the authority in the performance of their duties. Such contracts may be awarded for purposes including, but not limited to, the following:
     (a) Assessing the existing information technology systems of health care providers, state agencies, and third-party payers;
     (b) Identifying current national trends in the development of health information systems and standards;
     (c) Determining the feasibility of integrating and connecting existing systems with emerging and recommended health information standards and technologies; and
     (d) Identifying available government or private grants for the study of or implementation of health information systems.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The authority, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall submit an interim status report on its preliminary findings by December 1, 2005. A final report of findings and recommendations shall be submitted by December 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act expires December 1, 2006.