Maryland Takes Proactive Stance on Health IT

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 – Following a recent roundtable with health industry leaders, experts, and state officials, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley declared an intention to increase Maryland’s role in the development of Health-related technology.

“Advancing our vision for Health IT will further this progress, and help us advance toward our goals for creating and saving jobs, and improving the quality of care in our State while reigning in costs,” said Governor O’Malley.

Pursuant to this goal, Governor O’Malley plans to develop a statewide health information exchange and create universal compliance standards for all health care providers in Maryland. His administration views this approach as a route to innovation, which in turn would capitalize on emerging Health IT tools to improve service delivery and create jobs. The administration is also working closely with the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), to provide information to Maryland’s small business community about both the advantages of Health IT, and potential opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Maryland currently ranks as one of the more comprehensive providers of Health IT in the country, as it is one of only three states with a State Health IT Plan that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This status grants Maryland eligibility for federal Heath IT funding and paves the way for the development of their health information exchange.