Executive Order 35
STATE OF TENNESSEE
EXECUTIVE ORDER
BY THE GOVERNOR
Number 35
AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S eHEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the Institute of Medicine has estimated that medical mistakes cause as many as 98,000 preventable deaths in the United States each year; and
WHEREAS, the cost of healthcare is escalating at alarming rates while the nation's demographics are placing a greater demand on the healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of an effective system for sharing medical information among the provider community, healthcare providers are forced to order costly duplicative medical tests and procedures; and
WHEREAS, the healthcare system would benefit from reducing the time it takes to evaluate promising medical techniques, devices and drugs, and bringing the products and procedures that are proven safe and effective to the healthcare marketplace more quickly; and
WHEREAS, providing consumers with online access to computer-based tools that gather data from their medical records and assist in interpreting and monitoring the data in conjunction with their healthcare providers, would permit them to become better informed and more proactive in managing their health and wellness, thereby reducing utilization and adding efficiencies to the healthcare system; and
WHEREAS, advances made in information technology and network computing, it is feasible to implement in the state an effective information infrastructure capable of drawing together critical health information from multiple sources and presenting that information to authorized parties in a usable format to support sound decisions about healthcare by providers, consumers, public health officials and ressearchers; and
WHEREAS, such health information infrastructure is a necessary and important part of effectively addressing the challenges and opportunities referred to above; and
WHEREAS, ensuring the privacy and security of personal health information is of great importance to the people of the State of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, the creation and promotion of a cohesive and workable plan for the development and implementation of Tennessee health information infrastructure is of vital importance to, and in the best interests of, the people of the State of Tennessee.
NOW THERFORE, I, Phil Bredesen, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Tennessee Constitution and law, do hereby order and direct the following:
- There is hereby created the Governor's eHealth Advisory Council ("Council").
- The Council shall be chaired by the Commissioner of Finance and Administration or his designee and shall include sixteen additional members to be appointed by the Governor. Membership shall include representatives of the organizations, payers and consumer groups. In addition, the Council may establish various sub-committees with subject matter expertise to advise the Council on specific matters. In such case, the chair of the sub-committee must be a member of the Council.
- The Council shall advise and support the State of Tennessee as it develops and implements an overall strategy for the adoption and use of electronic medical records and create a plan to promote their use by all healthcare stakeholders.
- The Council shall identify obstacles to the implementation of an effective health information infrastructure and provide recommendations to remove or minimize those obstacles. In performing this task, the Council shall give due consideration to the challenge of eliminating duplicative efforts in this area.
- The Council shall advise appropriate parties within state government on issues related to the development and implementation of the helath information infrastructure.
- The Council shall act by a vote of the majority of its members. A quorum of at least seven (7) members shall be required for an act of the Council. No member may grant a proxy for his or her vote to any other member or member's designee, except with the prior approval of the Chair. The Governor will fill by appointment any vacancy on the Council.
- The Council shall be attached to the Department of Finance and Administration for administrative purposes.
- Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services on the Council but may be reimbursed for those expenses allowed by the provisions of the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the Department of Finance and Administration and approved by the Attorney General and Reporter.
- All Executive branch departments, agencies, boards and commissions and any other divisions of the Executive branch of state government shall fully cooperate with the Council and shall provide staff support and any other assistance as requested.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my signature and caused the Great Seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed this 6th day of April, 2006.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
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SECRETARY OF STATE