Why States Are Considering Health IT

by Meagan Dorsch

Technology is quickly transforming every sector of our population. We are now starting to see the nation's health care system jump on board.

Health Information Technology (IT) is the use of technology to electronically collect, store, retrieve and transfer clinical, administrative and financial health information. It offers the chance to improve quality of care and reduce costs in health care. President Barack Obama recently approved roughly $20 billion for health IT in the stimulus package.   

In this edition of The Buzz, we sit down with Sen. Richard Mooreof Massachusetts who is also the co-chair of NCSL's Health Information Technology Champions Project. Sen. Moore explains the vital role states are playing as the health sector transforms from a paper to an electronic system. While health IT offers many benefits, provider uptake has been slow due to high costs, as well as privacy and security concerns. Sen. Moore touches on what states are doing to keep the dollar figure down.

Listen to our podcast (10:38) and find out how health IT could alleviate some of the pain the next time you see the doctor. Also, make sure to visit NCSL's Health Information Technology Legislative Tracking Database.

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