Panel to improve health care technology and information exchange
Better technology will lower costs and improve patient care

To advance the availability of health information technology and decrease health care costs, Governor Kathleen Sebelius asked the Kansas Health Policy Authority, at their board meeting earlier this morning, to establish an advisory panel for a statewide health information technology exchange.

“Kansans need timely access to their personal health records in order to make educated decisions, just as health care professionals need accurate and accessible records to avoid duplication of services” Sebelius said. “Today I’m requesting that the KHPA Board establish a Kansas Health Advisory Panel to provide guidance on policy issues related to health information technology and to be a resource for stakeholders.”

Last year Governor Sebelius created the Kansas Health Information Exchange (HIE) Commission and asked them to advance the use of technology, decrease health care costs, and improve health care quality in Kansas. 

The commission recently issued a report identifying leadership and resource needs as the key issues to support and stimulate HIE on a statewide level. As the top agency for health care, the Health Policy Authority is best suited to provide this leadership and guide the development of a statewide health information technology and exchange.

“I believe that the creation of this panel represents the next step in lowering the costs of health care and making it more affordable for all Kansans,” Sebelius said.

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