Health IT panel members announced

Acting GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro today named 13 members to a health information technology policy committee established by the economic stimulus package. The panel will make recommendations on creating a policy framework to develop and adopt a nationwide health IT infrastructure, including standards for the exchange of patient medical information.

The GAO received almost 300 applications for the panel, a spokesman said. An additional seven members will be appointed by the HHS secretary and congressional leaders. President Obama can appoint other members to represent relevant federal agencies.

The stimulus bill also created a standards committee whose members will be appointed by the HHS secretary. The statute does not set a deadline for appointments to that panel, but it specifies the committee must consist of healthcare providers, ancillary healthcare workers, consumers, purchasers, health plans, technology vendors, researchers, agency officials, and experts in healthcare quality and security.