Health information technology (IT) holds considerable promise for improving how health care is delivered in the United States, but much of that promise remains unfulfilled. However, as the Obama administration looks to reform health care, encouraging signs point to the potential for health IT to play a significant role in changing the current system. A May 20 forum hosted by the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings, in cooperation with the Markle Foundation, addressed strategies for coordinating recently enacted health IT incentives with other promising approaches to improving health care delivery.
The forum addressed the effective implementation of the stimulus funds dedicated to driving “meaningful use” of health IT. With both important Medicare legislation and broader health care reforms being considered this year, these funds will have maximum impact only if they are coordinated with other measures to improve quality and build greater accountability into the health care system. The discussion drew on lessons learned from a range of ongoing health IT initiatives – including the most promising models for sustainable and scalable implementation – and present viable strategies for achieving higher-value health care.
Agenda
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May 20
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Introduction
Mark B. McClellan Former Brookings Expert, Director, Margolis Center for Health Policy - Duke University -
Panel One: Delivering on the Promise of HIT - Lessons Learned from Ongoing Initiatives
Moderator: Carol Diamond Managing Director, The Markle FoundationRon Paulus Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Geisinger Health SystemPeter Neupert Corporate Vice President, Health Solutions Group/MicrosoftHunt Blair Deputy Director for Health Care Reform, Office of Vermont Health Access, Agency of Human ServicesNeil Calman Institute for Family Health -
Panel Two: Putting Health IT to Use- Will New Incentives Work?
Moderator: John Tooker Executive Vice President and CEO, American College of PhysiciansJennifer Covich Bordenick Interim CEO, eHIJonathan Perlin President, Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Corporation of AmericaJohn Toussaint President and Founder, ThedaCare Center for Healthcare ValueDeven McGraw Director, Health Privacy Project -
Keynote Address: Perspectives from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Mark B. McClellan Former Brookings Expert, Director, Margolis Center for Health Policy - Duke University
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