Statement by Healthcare Leadership Council President Mary R. Grealy on the HHS Issuance of a Draft Health IT Interoperability Roadmap

We applaud the Department of Health and Human Services and its Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on the development of a roadmap designed to lead the nation toward health information interoperability and the improved healthcare system that will result.

The benefits that will accompany full interoperability are undeniable.  Secure data sharing that protects patient privacy while making vital information accessible system-wide will strengthen healthcare quality and cost-efficiency while enabling new breakthroughs in medical research.

The Healthcare Leadership Council has met with Dr. (Karen) DeSalvo, the National Coordinator for Health IT, and have shared the multi-sector principles our member companies have developed regarding interoperability and the exchange of health information.  We commend Secretary Burwell and Dr. DeSalvo for advocating, in both words and deeds, a public-private partnership to achieve interoperability and for their continuing efforts to seek the ideas and expertise of those in the private sector who have achieved meaningful progress in this arena.