Posted December 2011

The New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC), as the state designated entity for HIE, has been charged with development and operation of the State Health Information network of New York (SHIN-NY). To ensure accountability and trust in the implementation of SHIN-NY, NYeC and New York State Department of Health (SDOH) have established a governance structure that will ensure stakeholder input and transparency throughout the process.

Key to achievement of interoperability at every level of provision is a policy making process that will establish trust in the integrity of the SHIN-NY services and maintain a SHIN-NY statewide collaboration process (SCP). To that end, NYeC will convene a SHIN-NY Policy Committee to further develop New York’s health information technology network and data usage policies. Committee policy recommendations will be brought to the NYeC Board and the SDOH for their consideration as to inclusion in the Statewide Policy Guidance (SPG), submission for regulatory consideration, or potential legislative action.

NYeC and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors seek candidates for service on this SHIN-NY Policy Committee. The following outlines the SHIN-NY Policy Committee scope of work, work process, and committee member qualifications as well as the nomination process requirements and submission deadlines. We encourage your consideration of candidates that can serve during this important and exciting time for establishing New York’s statewide health information exchange.

SCOPE OF WORK

Members of the SHIN-NY Policy Committee will address key policy areas that have direct impact on implementation of a successful statewide health information exchange. These issues include but are not limited to:

• Security policies
• Ongoing alignment with changes in federal or state laws or regulations. Example: impact with the integration of health homes and sharing of Medicaid data
• Patient access to their personal health information (PHI) in electronic format and/or via patient portal access.
• SAMHSA-related issues specific to SAMHSA Part 2 and ongoing clarification and harmonization with other federal and state policy work as required
• Re-disclosure of personal health information.
• Policies that facilitate secondary uses of data as currently permitted by federal and state law and that follow industry standards.
• Minor consent that aligns with NY State law.
• Information sharing with government agencies for different purposes such as public health research, population management, reporting outbreak events, etc.
• Interstate data sharing agreements with NY State border states to enable care transition services as required.
• Audit and breach policies

WORK PROCESS

The SHIN-NY Policy Committee will be comprised of policy experts, government policy makers, and informed healthcare professionals from across New York State. The Committee will likely convene for at least two (2) two-hour meetings per month. Additional meetings may be required especially during the initial work of the committee. Special ad hoc subject matter expert groups may be convened by the committee co-chairs in consultation with committee members to address specific issues that may require special technical knowledge, fast turn-around and/or action. Public forums and public comment periods will be used throughout the policy development process to ensure ample opportunities for public input and to optimize transparency. Committee policy priorities and recommendations for statewide policy guidance (SPG) will be reviewed by the Committee Co-Chairs and presented by them to the NYeC Board of Directors and SDOH for ratification and implementation.

MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION

The SHIN-NY Policy Committee will be reflective of the key policy experts in health information technology and exchange in New York State. Membership is anticipated to include but not be limited to the following experience and expertise:

• Attorneys and legal policy analysts with expertise in privacy and security issues
• RHIO/Qualified Entity representatives with policy experience
• Provider representatives inclusive of privacy and security officers
• Payer representatives
• Patient/consumer advocates
• Health policy experts with understanding of HIE economic and sustainability issues

NOMINATION PROCESS

SHIN-NY Policy Committee Nominations Process: If you are interested, and believe you are qualified for SHIN-NY Policy Committee membership, you should submit your application for consideration to Cynthia Sutliff at csutliff@nyehealth.org on or before Friday, January 13, 2012. Candidate submissions will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee of the NYeC Board and recommendations will be presented to the Board on January 25, 2012 for ratification. Committee members will be announced following final Board approval. Please prepare and submit the following:

1. A one page statement of interest in serving as a member of the SHIN-NY Policy Committee that highlights your qualifications for this Committee as well as your commitment to the time required of Committee participation.
2. A copy of your resume.

We look forward to your submissions and to your ongoing participation in the process of establishing a statewide health information exchange in New York that will improve the lives of New Yorkers through better healthcare delivery.