[LINK] Open source health records

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

This sounds remarkably intelligent; anywhere & everywhere health records

--
Act to Make Obtaining Electronic Health Records Easier

April 24, 2009 http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=57483


Senator Rockefeller introduces Health Information Technology Public 
Utility Act of 2009. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today introduced 
legislation that will facilitate nationwide adoption of electronic health 
records, particularly among small, rural providers. 

The Health Information Technology Public Utility Act of 2009 will build 
upon the successful use of “open source” electronic health records by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the “open source exchange 
model,” which was recently expanded among federal agencies through the 
Nationwide Health Information Network-Connect initiative. 

"We need advancements in health information technology across the board 
to improve the quality of care Americans receive,” said Senator 
Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. 

“To make this happen, we need universal access to affordable and 
interoperable health information technology – from small, rural health 
clinics to large, urban hospitals.” 

Open source software refers to a computer program with unrestricted 
source code that does not limit the use or distribution by any 
organization or user. 

Senator Rockefeller continued, “Open source software is a cost-effective, 
proven way to advance health information technology – particularly among 
small, rural providers. 

This legislation does not replace commercial software; instead, it 
complements the private industry in this field – by making health 
information technology a realistic option for all providers.” 
--

Cheers,
Stephen