California is expected soon to select the state-designated entity that will be tasked with creating a statewide health information exchange using federal stimulus funding, Healthcare IT News reports.
The California eHealth Collaborative and the California Regional Health Information Organization both are vying for the position.
Originally in its request for information for the state-designated entity, California called for an organization separate from the state to set policy for the organizations that would be providing health data exchange services. However, the state now is looking for the organization to serve as a governing body and also operate some of the health information exchange functions.
In addition, the organization would be tasked with helping physicians achieve "meaningful use" of health IT (Enrado, Healthcare IT News, 11/3).