Washington--The campaign to establish an electronic health information system took an important step forward last month when HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt awarded contracts to four groups to test various approaches for establishing Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) architecture. These consortia of technology developers and local e-health organizations will build model systems for health information exchange in 12 regions around the country. The aim is to permit physicians, clinics, hospitals, health plans and medical research institutions to access patient health information; the networks also will support efforts to monitor and respond to health emergencies such as epidemics and bioterrorist attacks.
WASHINGTONThe campaign to establish an electronic health information system took an important step forward last month when HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt awarded contracts to four groups to test various approaches for establishing Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) architecture. These consortia of technology developers and local e-health organizations will build model systems for health information exchange in 12 regions around the country. The aim is to permit physicians, clinics, hospitals, health plans and medical research institutions to access patient health information; the networks also will support efforts to monitor and respond to health emergencies such as epidemics and bioterrorist attacks.
Over the next year, each of the consortia led by a major information technology organization will establish prototype systems in three healthcare markets:
Each group has several partners that are technology developers and regional health networks and is expected to invest much more than the government's $18.6 million seed money in building prototype networks. The systems will test patient identifiers, user authentication, and access control. The consortia are expected to share ideas and information with each other and the public, and the architecture design for each of the networks will be placed in the public domain to encourage further development of these systems.
80% of Americans Worried About Long-Term Health of Medicare, Social Security
July 10th 2025A new survey by eHealth and Retirable finds that 80% of Americans worry Medicare and Social Security won’t be available when they need them, amid projections that both trust funds could be depleted by 2034.
Read More
Conversations with Perry and Friends: Saar Mahna, J.D., MBA
July 7th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the "Conversations with Perry and Friends" podcast. In this episode, Cohen speaks with Saar Mahna, J.D., MBA, CEO and founder of Banjo Health, an artificial intelligence company focused on prior authorization.
Listen
Conversations With Perry and Friends: Paul Fronstin, Ph.D.
May 9th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. In this episode, his guest is Paul Fronstin, Ph.D., director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Listen