The mission of HIMSS Office of State Government Relations is to support the organization and its chapters by building effective partnerships and relationships with state and local officials. This is achieved through the representation and advocacy of HIMSS legislative principles, needs and interests. The office is headed by HIMSS Senior Director of State Government Relations Tom Keefe.
The department’s programs and products include:
Chapter Advocates and the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable (CALR)
With 46 chapters, one of HIMSS many strengths is to connect HIMSS members with local, state and national decision-makers on key health IT issues. Launched in April 2004, HIMSS Chapter Advocacy program provides an opportunity for each HIMSS chapter to elect or appoint one or more members to serve in the Chapter Board level position of Chapter Advocate. All Chapter Advocates actively engage in the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable (CALR). Conducted through monthly conference call meetings, the CALR provides a networking and educational opportunity for Chapter Advocates to promote chapter level advocacy programs at the grassroots level in coordination with the HIMSS advocacy and public policy Board-approved agenda. For Fiscal year 2009, Lelsey King of the HIMSS Arizona Chapter Chairs the CALR. Vice Chairs include Randy McCleese of the HIMSS Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter; James Harris of the HIMSS Maryland Chapter; Michelle Robles of the HIMSS Austin Chapter; and Andrea Tull of the HIMSS Washington State Chapter.
Throughout the United States today, more than 50 HIMSS Chapter Advocates are engaged in planning and facilitating advocacy and public policy activities within their local chapters. Once a year, Chapter Advocates have an opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to attend an off-site training seminar and participate in HIMSS National Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. The advocacy activities, conducted by chapters and Chapter Advocates, are celebrated through the Chapter Advocacy Recognition Program.
For more information on Chapter Advocates and the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable, please contact HIMSS Coordinator of State Government Relations, Arnol Simmons at asimmons@himss.org. A complete list of Chapter Advocates will be available coming soon!
Chapter Advocacy Recognition Program
The advocacy activities conducted by Chapters and Chapter Advocates, is celebrated through the Chapter Advocacy Recognition Program. Chapters that demonstrate exceptional participation in coordinated HIMSS advocacy activities are recognized through the three recognition levels:
Recognitions are conducted twice a year, at the CALR off-site training and the Annual HIMSS Conference and Exhibition, where the Chapter Advocate of the Year is announced. 2007 HIMSS CALR of the Year Award winner was Shawna Schueller of the Minnesota Chapter. For more information on the Chapter Advocacy Recognition Program, please contact HIMSS Coordinator of State Government Relations, Arnol Simmons at asimmons@himss.org.
HIMSS State HIT Dashboard
With ongoing demand for credible and current data on regional health information organizations and state HIT initiatives, the HIMSS State HIT Dashboard simplifies the search process.
This complimentary strategic and online business resource links users to information on:
For additional information on the HIMSS State Dashboard, please contact HIMSS Analytics at info@himssanalytics.org.
State Healthcare Knowledgebase
HIMSS Analytics’ State Healthcare Knowledgebase provides an in-depth look on each state’s healthcare and demographic environment. The Knowledgebase provides economic and operational statistics related to each state’s healthcare landscape. This database includes current information on:
To purchase or find more information on the State Healthcare Knowledgebase, contact info@himssanalytics.org or visit www.himssanalytics.org, the HIMSS Analytics Web site.
State HIT Advocacy Days
HIMSS State Advocacy Days are some of the most important HIMSS events each year. Supported by HIMSS Chapters and HIMSS State Government Relations, State Advocacy Days aim to raise awareness to select HIT and management systems policy. Conducted when a state legislature is in session, a State Advocacy Day may include meetings with legislators, site visits to healthcare facilities, and presentations from policy experts.
In 2008, there were seven State Advocacy Days -- Virginia (January 21); Florida (January 22), Maryland (January 15), Kentucky (March 20), California (April 15), Pennsylvania (May 12) and Ohio (May 14). Each of these Advocacy Days was successful yet unique in size, timing and approach.
For additional information on HIMSS State Advocacy Days, please contact HIMSS Manager of State Government Relations, K. Meredith Pumphrey at mtaylor@himss.org.
Rural/ Underserved Communities and HIT Activities
HIT is emerging as an important strategy to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of the nation’s health care system. As the population becomes more diverse, the implications of health disparities become more compelling for policy makers, public health officials, health care providers, business leaders, educators, and the broader public.
HIMSS Department of State Government Relation collaborates with government agencies, corporations, and other institutions to: 1) Identify basic principles for creating and evaluating tools to reduce health disparities 2) Describe current legislative approaches for a national health policy 3) Describe administrative approaches to focus on safety net issues such as barriers to adoption and cultural norms 4) Explain specific recommendations to narrow the digital divide.
HIMSS is currently collaborating on this topic with the House Congressional Tri-Caucus, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) and Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc. for (SHIRE).For additional information of HIMSS Rural/ Underserved Communities and HIT activities, please contact HIMSS Coordinator of State Government Relations, Arnol Simmons at asimmons@himss.org.
State Healthcare Information Technology Policy Guidance
On June 12, 2008, the HIMSS Board unanimously adopted the new "State Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Guidance"
Click here to download.
The document was developed by HIMSS staff in partnership with HIMSS Steering Committees, Work Groups, and Taskforces. For additional information on the document, please contact Thomas S. Keefe, Senior Director of HIMSS State Government Relations at (703) 562 – 8813 or tkeefe@himss.org.
