As a result of State and Federal dollars, several organizations have developed initiatives to help adopt health information technology (HIT) in California. Under the leadership of the State HIT Coordinator, these programs are working together to achieve their mutual goal of improving health care quality, efficiency and access through the meaningful use of technology.
Here’s how these Initiatives are helping propel eHealth forward in California:
The California Health & Human Services Agency (CHHS) received a $38.8 million award from the Office of the National Coordinator’s (ONC) State HIE Cooperative Agreement program, which is being used to expand HIE capacity in California. Given the size and complexity of California, coordination, leadership and planning is critical to meet the expectations outlined in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Because of this, the governor-appointed deputy secretary for Health IT acts as the State HIT Coordinator.
Cal eConnect is a California-based nonprofit created to guide the private and secure delivery of electronic health information. It provides leadership and oversees a collaborative process to develop and support Health Information Exchange (HIE) services in California. Cal eConnect works with key stakeholders across the state to establish policies, procedures, and services that support the appropriate, private, and secure exchange of electronic health information between healthcare organizations and government agencies such as public health and Medi-Cal for the purposes of improving health care safety, quality, access, and efficiency.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works together with state departments, agencies, local health departments, and other organizations to establish safe and secure health information.
California Health Information Partnership & Services Organizations (CalHIPSO)
provides Regional Extension Center (REC) services to all of California except Los Angeles and Orange County.
The California Health Workforce Alliance (CHWA) is a public-private partnership designed to help meet California’s emerging health workforce needs.
The California Office of Health Information Integrity (CalOHII) develops new privacy and security standards to enable the adoption and application of HIE in California.
CalOptima Regional Extension Center (COREC), Orange County’s Regional Extension Center (REC), provides education and technical assistance to primary care physicians as they make the move toward new technology.
California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB) provides health care for rural tribes and native health service organizations in the state of California.
California State Rural Health Association (CSRHA) A nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to improve the health of rural Californians and the quality and accessibility of the heath care they receive.
The California Telehealth Network (CTN) A nonprofit agency funded through the Federal Communications Commission to build a high speed telecommunications infrastructure and service availability to improve access to health care in rural and underserved areas in California.
The Department of Health Care Services, Office of Health Information Technology (DHCS-OHIT) develops, tracks, runs and administers the Medi-Cal (Medicaid) Electronic Health Records Incentive Programs.
Hi-Tech LA Health Information Technology Extension Center for Los Angeles (HITECH-LA), the federally-designated REC for Los Angeles County, helps doctors and primary care providers select, implement, and use certified electronic health records in a meaningful way.
The Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding to communities to build and strengthen their health information technology (health IT) infrastructure.