WHEREAS, the delivery of health care is becoming an increasingly complex process calling upon the coordination of various caregivers; and

WHEREAS, it is becoming vitally important for caregivers to be able to securely and rapidly exchange information regarding a particular patient or groups of patients in order to deliver timely, effective, and efficient medical care; and

WHEREAS, there are initiatives being undertaken both at the state and federal level, across the United States, to develop Regional Health Information Organizations, which will facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of patient-identified information across the broad spectrum of physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers within a state and across state borders when needed; and

WHEREAS, there is increasing evidence that the development of these information exchange systems will not only result in better and more timely care, but also more cost-efficient and error-free care; and

WHEREAS, an information exchange system will greatly benefit the people of the State of Hawaii, and greatly improve the quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness of the medical care they receive if hospitals, health plans, physicians, and other health care providers are able to securely and rapidly exchange information regarding the treatment rendered to a particular patient or groups of patients; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation recently formed by key stakeholders in the Hawaii health care community including representatives from various hospitals, health insurers, physician organizations, and other health care providers; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc. is dedicated to the formation and operation of a health information exchange system in the State of Hawaii, which would allow a secure and rapid exchange of medical information; and

WHEREAS, the support of the Legislature as well as the Department of Health is vital to the success of the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc.'s effort to create a patient-driven health information technology system, which will accommodate the participation of all the important health care stakeholders within the State of Hawaii, including but not limited to hospitals, health insurers, physicians, laboratories, pharmacies, employers, and nursing homes; and

WHEREAS, moreover, the support from the Legislature and the Department of Health will improve patient safety and quality of care, reduce costs because of coordination of care and elimination of duplicative tests and procedures, and enable informed and accountable patients to participate in improving their own health; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Legislature support the efforts of the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc. in forming and operating a health information exchange system, which will securely and rapidly exchange medical information to improve the quality of medical care delivered to the people of the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health participate in the formation of a health information exchange system by sending representatives to the meetings of the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc. and otherwise assist the organization in carrying out its mission and purpose; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all licensed health insurers, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, employers, nursing homes, and physicians be urged to participate in the meetings and activities of the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Inc., and to contribute financially and in-kind to the support and development of the organization in furtherance of its charitable mission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Director of Health, the President of the Hawaii Science and Technology Council, and the President and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Regional Health Information Organization; Health