The State Alliance for e-Health issued new guidance on Tuesday for state health information exchanges.

The  executive-level organization, composed of governors, state legislators, attorneys general and state commissioners, included  information on how states can lead the way in using health IT as they begin instituting the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.

The HITECH Act, enacted as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, expands the role of states in fostering health information exchange and adoption of electronic health records over the next five years.

"Governors understand that swift and thoughtful action is needed at the state level to plan and implement a national system of health information exchange," said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, co-chairman of the  alliance. "Widespread adoption and use of electronic health records provides a critical foundation for improving health outcomes and cost-effectiveness."

The report recommends actions states should take now to qualify for the HITECH Act, including:

• Preparing or updating the state plan for HIE adoption;

• Engaging stakeholders;

• Establishing a state leadership office to manage the different phases of HIE implementation;

• Preparing state agencies to participate;
• Implementing privacy strategies and reforms;

• Determining the HIE business model;

• Creating a communications strategy; and

• Establishing opportunities for health IT training and education.

"States already have taken the lead in modernizing the healthcare system by advancing the use of health IT, electronic health records, e-prescribing and electronic exchange of health information," said Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, NGA chairman and co-chairman of the alliance. "We now have an opportunity to accelerate adoption of health IT across the states and create a truly comprehensive healthcare system that is effective, affordable and accountable."

The report and state initiatives to implement health IT and electronic HIE will provide a central focus for the alliance's semi-annual conference, to be held Aug. 7 in Burlington, Vt.

The alliance – supported by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services – provides a nationwide forum through which governors, state policymakers and other stakeholders can work to identify effective HIT policies and best practices and explore solutions to challenges related to the exchange of health information.