Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Tuesday the creation of the Health Information Technology Advisory Commission by Executive Order 95.

The commission, which will be chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn Tavenner, is charged with ensuring broad stakeholder engagement and providing guidance to the governor on the most effective use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds designated for Health Information Technology.

“Health Information Technology has the potential to both reduce costs and improve the quality of health care for all Virginians,” says Kaine. “This initiative will ensure that the Commonwealth remains a leader in this area by leveraging the expertise and efforts of our public and private sector partners.”

The Health IT Advisory Commission will support the Commonwealth’s response to federal grant opportunities, and ensure coordination across multiple related areas, including broadband and telemedicine, in order to maximize the benefits of the funding available to the state. The ARRA will distribute Health IT funds through a grant award process in two key areas:

- $598 million will be distributed nationally over a four year period to assist individuals and small group practices focused on primary care in implementing an electronic health records system. Priority will be given to medically under-served areas and to those who serve the uninsured or under-insured.

- $564 million will be distributed nationally to promote Health Information Exchange across the health care system through the use of certified electronic health records. Funding will support state programs to promote EHRs with the goal of improved coordination, efficiency and quality of care.

The Executive Order also designates the Virginia Department of Health as the lead agency for Health IT in the Commonwealth, and the Department has established an Office of Health IT in order to carry out this assignment. The Office will staff the Health IT Advisory Commission, provide guidance to the Governor on Health IT issues, and ensure that the efforts of the Commission are aligned with other Health IT initiatives in the Commonwealth.

The Commission will enlist a broad range of stakeholders including physicians, HIE and privacy experts and hospital and insurance executives.