Health records standards move along

The extremely personal nature of medical information makes sharing data in the health profession more difficult compared with other industries, but work to solve the problem is progressing, officials told governors this week.

Health officials have two goals for electronic records: true portability of information across states and the ability to use performance metrics from that data to help patients choose the best doctors and procedures. Proponents of electronic health records say the technology reduces errors and cuts costs. "We're past the question of should we do this