Panel issues recommendations for interoperable health IT

The Health Information Technology Policy Committee yesterday sent Congress recommendations to overcome technical, operational and financial barriers to interoperable health IT, as mandated by legislation last year. The report calls for developing and implementing health information exchange-sensitive measures for health outcomes, resource use and vendor performance and certification; and HIE-sensitive payment incentives that incorporate performance criteria and an implementation timeline for alternative payment models. In addition, the panel calls for the federal government and private sector to convene a summit of major stakeholders to create an action plan for building on the Office of the National Coordinator’s Interoperability Roadmap. The committee advises ONC on health IT policy.