Healthcare data to departments of public health for immunizations, syndromec surveillance, reportable laboratories is actually public good.

Sandy Hausman: At the state level he adds, barriers must come down so medical data can benefit individuals and the public. Dr. Halamka: In Massachusetts we actually believe that say contributing healthcare data to departments of public health for immunizations, syndromec surveillance, reportable laboratories is actually public good. Or how about preventing opiate abusers from getting 50 prescriptions for OxyContin, public good. In New Hampshire, every one of the things I just stated is illegal. It is illegal for a doctor to send data to a public health department, like your kids immunization information. Sandy Hausman: And finally, the growing importance of information technology must lead to a Commensurate increase in funding. Dr. Halamka: Healthcare IT departments are funded at about 2% of the operating budget of the organization. Fidelity applies 35% of its operating budget to IT. If you under-fund and constrain investment in technology your probably getting exactly the result you deserve when somebody says…hmm you don’t seem to get anything really fast.