HHS Developing Plans for Nationwide Network of Networks in Health Information Exchange

In a further step to define and carry out the vision of a Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a proposal to connect existing HIE networks in up to 10 locations around the country.  New NHIN projects will focus on linking state, regional and non-geographic health information consortia through contractor-to-contractor collaboration across America and on demonstrating "core services, [exchanging] summary patient records and supporting the capabilities outlined in several AHIC use cases based on shared NHIN standards and specifications."  With HIES in existence coast-to-coast, the move by the federal government to initiate and facilitate the linking of these systems is seen by many as a logical step and a way to build the NHIN from the ground up.

In a recent eHI monthly member call, John Loonsk, MD, Director of the Office of Interoperability and Standards in the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for HIT, offered insight on how President George W. Bush's August 2006 Executive Order's standards  and interoperability components would be applied to the latest NHIN contracts.  Loonsk stated that the HITSP standards that were "recognized" by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt would be part of the contracts and that all contractors would be required to adopt and use those standards of interoperability during the course of their NHIN work.

HHS is anticipating awarding up to 10 contracts which will stipulate a performance period of one year, with additional option-years available.  The announcement from ONC notes that all documents relevant to the solicitation will be available at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ in the next two weeks. More information from HHS is available here.