As promised last month, former ONC chief Farzad Mostashari, MD, and friends, launched on July 2, the Get My Health Data Campaign. The idea was to launch close to July 4 in order to declare the date as "Data Independence Day."

[See also: Mostashari launches data access campaign.]

The campaign has three goals:

1. Give consumers the information and tools they need to ask for and use their digital health data;
2. Identify and promote innovative apps and tools that help consumers securely compile, store and use their health data;
3. Promote a culture in which consumer access to data is the rule, rather than the exception.

"With the Get My Health Data Campaign, we are creating a concerted push from consumers that will liberate digital health information so it gets into the hands of patients and family caregivers, allowing them to more fully engage in their health and care," said Christine Bechtel in a news statement. Bechtel is campaign coordinator and advisor to the National Partnership for Women & Families. "Even though we have the technology and policies in place to support patients in accessing their electronic health information, it's not happening the way it should. Our goal is to enable patients to more easily get and use their digital health information."

"We've declared July 4th 'Data Independence Day' because we believe now is the moment when patient demand for their digital health information can flip health care into the open position. Let’s work together to make it practical for people to ask for, share and use their own health data," said  Mostashari, in announcing the initiative.

[See also: How hard is it to 'Get My Health Data'?.]

Mostashari, co-founder and CEO of Aledade, a startup that helps physicians establish accountable care organizations, describes Get My Health Data Campaign as a collaborative effort among leading consumer organizations, healthcare experts, former policy makers and technology organizations working to enhance consumer access to digital health information.