State Health Information plan wins federal approval

(Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau) - Nevada's Health Information Technology plan has been approved by the federal government.

The so-called HIT plan lays out how stimulus funding will be used to create a statewide system for the electronic exchange of health information.

Officials hope that electronic management of health information so it can be securely exchanged between health care consumers, providers and payers will improve the quality of health care, prevent medical errors and reduce costs.

Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden said Senate Bill 43, signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, provides the legal framework for the HIT program, giving his office the power to adopt regulations and certify health information exchanges that wish to participate in the system.

The program is funded by $36 billion in federal money nationwide.