Governor Designates Ohio Health Information Partnership to Lead the State’s Implementation of Healthcare IT

The Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP), a public-private entity has been selected by Governor Ted Strickland to direct the efforts of the state’s healthcare systems and providers in implementing healthcare IT efforts statewide. 

“Advancing health IT efforts can help save resources and improve the quality of health care for Ohioans by providing better and timelier access to comprehensive health information,” Strickland said.

The state’s 2010-11 biennial budget allocates $8 million in non-GRF funds to the Ohio Department of Insurance to support efforts in health information technology. The Department of Insurance will work together with OHIP to oversee the use of this money and the application for federal resources.

OHIP will support the adoption and use of electronic medical records by Ohio’s healthcare providers.  The partnership is charged with implementing and overseeing a statewide health information exchange that will improve access to data and patient information by authorized health care providers while ensuring patient privacy.  The partnership also will collaborate with industry experts to provide educational, technical, and procurement services to healthcare providers who need to implement electronic medical records.

“Healthcare experts and stakeholders have consistently identified the utilization of health information technology as a critical component to lowering cost and improving quality,” said Mary Jo Hudson, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.

A public forum will be held from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 25, at the Riffe Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High Street, 4th floor. The  forum is open to all interested parties to discuss the state’s health IT vision and to solicit feedback.

Additional information on OHIP, as well as details about this public forum and future events, is available at http://www.healthcarereform.ohio.gov/healthit.aspx.