AHIC Transition Grantee Announced

January 22, 2008

At this morning's meeting of the American Health Information Community in Washington DC, Secretary Leavitt announced a grant to a team made up of LMI and the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution, to convene diverse organizations to design a new public-private partnership, known as "AHIC 2.0." 

Leavitt noted that the grant was a "very important step in securing all of the work we have done." Rob Kolodner, MD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, noted that the Brookings Institution-LMI team "was selected through a competitive process... and their application showed broad engagement of stakeholders from across the spectrum in health care."  He noted that they had done a "terrific job in gathering a group of leaders... and would broaden that engagement across the country, to engage and listen to what's needed" in the new AHIC.  Kolodner further mentioned that Brookings and LMI intended to hold their own press event, during which they would share and gain feedback on their approach for moving forward. 

The eHealth Initiative, with the input and support of its members and leadership, supported the Brookings-LMI proposal, and intends to be fully engaged in the process as it moves forward, along with several other organizations across health care. As this work unfolds, eHI will keep its members fully apprised, and also seek their input on ways to improve and inform the process.

Last year, HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt announced his intention to transition the American Health Information Community (AHIC) from a federal advisory body currently staffed and supported by HHS, to a public-private non-profit organization which would have its own sustainable business plan.  Funds of up to $13 million will be available to the awardees over a two-year period. This award will consist of two phases, with a full transition expected by late 2008.

"This is a key milestone for the health IT movement," Secretary Leavitt remarked. "It ensures that the critical work of the AHIC will continue and prosper as interoperable health IT becomes a reality, and that the benefits of health IT reach all Americans."

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