Web-based network created for health IT CIOs

State health care chief information officers are being encouraged to collaborate via a new online network to advance the objectives of the health IT provisions in the federal economic stimulus law.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives has launched the CIO State Network with volunteer coordinators in each state to enhance communications on joint efforts. The network will offer information and opportunities for planning, collaboration and education.

Under the Health IT for Economic and Clinical Health Act provisions of the stimulus law, states must develop plans for health information exchange, designate a state entity for health IT, offer strategic and operational plans for health exchange infrastructure and provide state-level directories to enable statewide data exchange.

States also will be involved in planning and in implementing federal grants for health information exchange and regional extension centers.