"Transparency in the health care marketplace is essential," said Perdue. "Increased transparency in Georgia's healthcare industry will help families make informed decisions based on the costs and the quality of the services they receive."
"I applaud Governor Perdue for taking steps that will result in better care at lower cost for the people of Georgia. The four cornerstones of a better health care system are electronic health records, more information on the cost and quality of our care, and incentives that reward high quality at low cost," said US Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. "With this action today, Georgia is one of the first states in the nation to lead the way to a better health care system for its citizens."
The board will consist of 12 members, appointed by the commissioner of DCH, Dr. Rhonda Medows. Board members will serve a term of two years, ending June 30, 2008.
"Communication in health care is essential for success," said Dr. Rhonda Medows. "Our goals for Health Information Technology are simple: Understandable, universal, timely, and secure communication of health information across the public and private sectors for the benefit of today's health care consumer. Let's build bridges, not barriers."
On August 22, 2006, President Bush signed an executive order to "Help Increase The Transparency Of America's Health Care System - Empowering Americans To Find Better Value And Better Care." The President's Executive Order directs federal agencies that administer or sponsor federal health insurance programs to:
- Increase transparency in pricing
- Increase transparency in quality
- Encourage adoption of health information technology (IT) standards
- Provide options that promote quality and efficiency in health care
