There are lots of great ideas about how to use health IT and exchange electronic health information to improve outcomes and reduce costs in our health care system.  The recent, unprecedented commitment of our nation to support the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) has accelerated the pace of conversation.  ONC and others have been listening.

Listening is critical because there is no predicting when the most intriguing thoughts and advice will pop to the surface.  It could be in a hallway conversation, in testimony before an advisory committee, or in an email.  It could also be on a blog.  This is why we are launching the Health IT Buzz blog today.

With this new venture, we hope to create a forum for engagement.  We plan to report on progress, and create an open dialogue among members of the health IT community.  We intend to address a wide and diverse range of timely topics relevant to the “why’s and how’s” of efforts to support the secure and seamless exchange of electronic health information.  We will discuss our ongoing work to protect patient privacy, secure information, and implement standards.  We’ll also be using the blog to provide additional information regarding our new grant programs. And the conversation wouldn’t be complete without discussing the meaningful use rulemaking and incentive programs, clarifying our vision and addressing key challenges.

We want to hear from citizens, patients, health professionals, managers, policymakers, technology enthusiasts and technology skeptics.  We can’t succeed unless we understand the wishes and concerns of the many constituencies we serve.  So join us.  Let us know what’s on your mind.  Read and learn with us.  We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

— David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P. – National Coordinator for Health Information Technology