Using HIT to Transform Health Care: Summary of a Discussion Among State Policy Makers
States are finding health information technology (HIT) an essential tool in any plan that seeks to improve the efficiency, affordability, safety, and quality of their health care systems. This State Health Policy Briefing is intended to help state policy makers determine what role they will play in HIT development, how their state will use HIT, and how they will address critical barriers to success. It is based on a day-long preconference seminar conducted by NASHP and during which state policy makers exchanged information and experience and learned from leading states and experts.
Three major challenges faced by states seeking to implement and use HIT effectively are discussed:
1. Forming and/or working within a public-private partnership,
2. Finding funding for implementation and sustainability, and
3. Ensuring privacy and security of health information.
| HIT and Health Care | 146.5 KB |
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
