Increasingly, health information technology (HIT) is at the forefront of public and private sector efforts to improve healthcare safety, quality and efficiency. Clear and compelling evidence is emerging that HIT can play a critical role in addressing the challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system including an aging population with growing chronic care needs, healthcare cost increases, persistent public health threats, dissatisfied clinicians abandoning the practice of medicine, a shortage of nurses, access problems and patients demanding greater accountability.

The federal government has accelerated efforts to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare by putting forth a number of initiatives-both at the national level and the regional level-to promote the adoption of HIT and health information networks that will provide information where it is needed, when it is needed, to support patient care.

• The unveiling of the nation's first strategic framework report on a ten-year initiative to develop electronic health records and HIT by HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson and the National Health Information Technology Coordinator David Brailer, MD, PhD.
• The rapid implementation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the many HIT-related provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act, including those related to electronic prescribing standards; demonstration programs that include incentives for HIT; and chronic care demonstrations that will leverage information technology.
• The award of over $139 million in funding provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, including grants to over 100 healthcare stakeholders who are at various levels of HIT adoption; contracts to five states to launch health information exchange networks, and the launch of the AHRQ National Resource Center for Health Information Technology.
• The launch of the "Biosense Program" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist with public health surveillance, management and response.

• The rapid emergence of several employer and health plan-sponsored incentives programs that reward practicing clinicians and other providers who utilize HIT and deliver better healthcare, such as Bridges to Excellence.
• The launch and expansion of several health information organization initiatives (or "RHIOs") across the country in response to recent interest demonstrated by government as well as the eHealth Initiative Foundation's Connecting Communities for Better Health Program conducted in cooperation with the Health Resources and Services Adminstration, which recently awarded nine contracts to health information organizations across the country.
• The July 2004 release of the Preliminary Roadmap for Electronic Connectivity by Connecting for Health . . . a Public-Private Collaborative.

The March HIT Summit will feature leaders from across both the public and private sectors who will provide the latest information regarding these programs and answer some of the following key questions.

Emerging Regional Health Information Organizations

• Who is doing what and how? Case studies and stories from pioneers such as those developing health information exchange networks in CA, CO, IN, MD, NC, TN, and WA.
• Tackling some of the key barriers to the creation of health information organizations; organizational and legal; technical; financial; clinical.
• A mock "RHIO Negotiation" involving large health plans, hospitals, physician groups, healthcare IT suppliers, public health, and government.

• The latest information regarding "value" and the "ROI" for HIT.
• Case studies from employers and health plans that are providing incentives today.
• Early results from "market experiments" that leverage HIT for chronic care improvement and quality measurement.
• Capital financing alternatives.
• Governmental sources of funding for HIT.

• The latest results from AHRQ's National HIT Program.
• Recent developments from CMS' programs designed to promote quality improvements and HIT adoption.
• The latest information related to the CDC's Biosense Program.
• The GAO's look at remaining barriers to HIT implementation.

Through a series of case studies, plenary general sessions, and hands-on breakouts, participants will hear from policy leaders, on the ground implementers, and national experts about what's happening both at the national level and in the field; and how healthcare stakeholders can manage and navigate the rapidly emerging changes in the marketplace and policy environment.

• Employers and Healthcare Purchasers
• Health Plans
• Healthcare IT Suppliers
• Hospitals and Other Healthcare Providers
• Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturers
• Practicing Clinicians
• Public Health Agencies
• State, Regional and Community-Based Health Information Organizations