Policy

The Governor has a five-point strategy to transform how health care is used, purchased, and delivered to Washingtonians. AccessMyHealth.org grew out of this strategy, and the resulting legislation.

Health Information Technology

In 2005, the state of Washington Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5064 that required the Health Care Authority, in conjunction with an advisory board, to develop a strategy for the adoption and use of electronic medical records and health information technologies.  The activities and recommendations from this collaborative effort were the focus of this report and a key factor in supporting the strategy to expedite and promote the use of health information technology.

The strategy to make better use of health information technology was a key factor when Governor Gregoire identified improvement of health care as one of her top priorities in 2005.  A five-point strategy was developed to make state government a national leader in transforming the way health care is used and purchased, as well as improving the safety and quality of health care delivery.  These strategies are the first step in supporting this top priority and changing the current structure into a high performance health care system:

  • Emphasize evidence-based health care.
  • Promote prevention, healthy lifestyles, and healthy choices.
  • Better manage chronic care.
  • Create more transparency in the health care system.
  • Make better use of information technology.

Strategy, Legislation, and Recommendations

Important legislation has been passed to support the strategy and address the advancement and use of health information technology in Washington State.