Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Media Contact: Steve Maviglio, (916) 607-8340
Connecting for Better Health Coalition Lauds Data Sharing Agreement as Step Forward for Quality Health Care and Equity in California
SACRAMENTO — The Connecting for Better Health Coalition today lauded the California Health and Human Services Agency’s newly published framework for health information exchange that will improve public health and bring health care into the digital age.
The agency’s Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) signifies an important step in creating a statewide network for the secure sharing of health data, which will address health disparities, lower health care costs, and save lives.
“The agreement is the result of a year of hard work and collaboration among state health officials and many voices representing patients and the broad California health care community. This framework sets the stage for a new era in California health care in which patients’ data can be shared in a secure, timely manner to improve care and inform critical health decisions,” the coalition stated.
In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 133, which includes several provisions to support health information exchange in California. The bill includes a data sharing mandate requiring health care entities to begin to exchange patients’ health information by January 31, 2024. Over the next several months, advisory committees will help the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) create policies and procedures to put in place before 2024.
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the need to modernize health data systems that allow healthcare providers and public health agencies to share important data, such as vaccination reports and test results, in real time.
Statewide health data sharing enables providers and patients to securely and quickly access their comprehensive health records. Providers will be able to use up-to-date information to help inform diagnoses and treatment plans. Meanwhile public health officials can access data to identify trends and improve health equity throughout the state.
About Connecting for Better Health
Connecting for Better Health is a coalition representing diverse health care stakeholders including consumers, providers, and health plans, that supports the advancement of health data exchange policy in California. Our vision is that every Californian and their care team have the information and insights they need to make health care seamless, high quality, and affordable. One of our policy priorities for 2022 is to ensure that we collectively secure an ongoing source of funding for health data exchange network. Key to this work is ensuring our state leverages federal Medicaid match dollars available for health information technology activities.
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