LANSING – As part of an effort to address health care issues on a statewide level, many states have turned to health information technology as a way to reform the system, according to a recent report from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

NCSL documented a surge in health information technology initiatives, noting that of the 370 bills introduced over the past 18 months, 132 of those measures were signed into law across 44 states and the District of Columbia, which represented a threefold increase compared to legislative sessions in 2005 and 2006.

In Michigan, the legislative issue of health information technology sprung into action in 2006, with the establishment of a commission that would recommend and help implement policies for hospitals to share information.

Most recently, $1.2 million in grants were awarded so that all 83 Michigan counties are either planning or implementing electronic health records systems.

Health information technology programs are launched in an effort to improve the quality of health care and to reduce costs, NCSL notes.

While some states have created commissions similar to the one in place in Michigan, other states have used the appropriations process through grants and loans. Other states have partnered with the private sector to expand on the amount of funds available for health information technology, while other states provide tax credits or allow health care providers to receive more supplemental funding if they participate in an electronic health records system.

In terms of policy areas, some states have rewritten their privacy laws to facilitate the exchange of health care information, including how state laws converge with federal regulations.

While several state programs have been voluntary or incentive-based, other states have mandated the use of electronic health records systems.

In the 2008-09 Department of Community Health budget lawmakers appropriated $5 million for health information technology initiatives, as well as instructed the department to lay out a three-year plan on how to begin an electronic prescription program.

The commission’s work in Michigan is also looking at the ability to share medical records and a report us due out in July 2009.

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