§ 9352 - Vermont information technology leaders - Vermont Statutes

§ 9352. Vermont information technology leaders

(a) Governance. The general assembly and the governor shall each appoint one representative to the Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL) board of directors.

(b) Conflict of interest. In carrying out their responsibilities under this section, directors of VITL shall be subject to conflict of interest policies established by the secretary of administration to ensure that deliberations and decisions are fair and equitable.

(c) Health information exchange operation. VITL shall be designated in the health information technology plan pursuant to section 9351 of this title to operate the exclusive statewide health information exchange network for this state. Nothing in this chapter shall impede local community providers from the exchange of electronic medical data.

(d) Privacy. The standards and protocols implemented by VITL shall be consistent with those adopted by the statewide health information technology plan pursuant to subsection 9351(e) of this title.

(e) Report. No later than January 15 of each year, VITL shall file a report with the commission on health care reform; the secretary of administration; the commissioner of information and innovation; the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration; the director of the office of Vermont health access; the secretary of human services; the commissioner of health; the commissioner of mental health; the commissioner of disabilities, aging, and independent living; the senate committee on health and welfare; and the house committee on health care. The report shall include an assessment of progress in implementing health information technology in Vermont and recommendations for additional funding and legislation required. In addition, VITL shall publish minutes of VITL meetings and any other relevant information on a public website.

(f) Funding authorization. VITL is authorized to seek matching funds to assist with carrying out the purposes of this section. In addition, it may accept any and all donations, gifts, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services from the federal or any local government, or any agency thereof, and from any person, firm, foundation, or corporation for any of its purposes and functions under this section and may receive and use the same, subject to the terms, conditions, and regulations governing such donations, gifts, and grants.

(g) Waivers. The secretary of administration or designee, in consultation with VITL, may seek any waivers of federal law, of rule, or of regulation that might assist with implementation of this section.

(h) Loan and grant programs. VITL shall solicit recommendations from the secretary of administration or designee, health insurers, the Vermont Association of Hospitals & Health Systems, Inc., the Vermont Medical Society, Bi-State Primary Care Association, the Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services, the Behavioral Health Network, the Vermont Health Care Association, the Vermont Assembly of Home Health Agencies, other health professional associations, and appropriate departments and agencies of state government, in establishing a financing program, including loans and grants, to provide electronic health records systems to providers, with priority given to Blueprint communities and primary care practices serving low income Vermonters. Health information technology systems acquired under a grant or loan authorized by this section shall comply with data standards for interoperability adopted by VITL and the state health information technology plan. An implementation plan for this loan and grant program shall be incorporated into the state health information technology plan.

(i) Certification of meaningful use. To the extent necessary or required by federal law, VITL shall be authorized to certify the meaningful use of health information technology and electronic health records by health care providers licensed in Vermont.

(j) Scope of activities. VITL and any person who serves as a member, director, officer, or employee of VITL with or without compensation shall not be considered a health care provider as defined in subdivision 9432(8) of this title for purposes of any action taken in good faith pursuant to or in reliance upon provisions of this section relating to VITL's:

(1) Governance;

(2) Electronic exchange of health information and operation of the statewide health information exchange network as long as nothing in such exchange or operation constitutes the practice of medicine pursuant to chapter 23 or 33 of Title 26;

(3) Implementation of privacy provisions;

(4) Funding authority;

(5) Application for waivers of federal law;

(6) Establishment and operation of a financing program providing electronic health records systems to providers; or

(7) Certification of health care providers' meaningful use of health information technology. (Added 2009, No. 61, § 1.)