The Consumer Advisory Committee
Strong consumer input, support and confidence will be critical to the successful development and operation of the HealthInfoNet (HIN) system.
In order to achieve essential support, HIN must help consumers understand how patient care can be substantially improved through greater electronic clinical information-sharing. Consumers also must have a high level of confidence in the security of the system to allow them to support the sharing of their medical information among providers.
To earn consumer support and trust, HIN must effectively demonstrate that the network will be developed and operated using the most rigorous and effective security measures. HIN also must develop confidentiality policies, standards and procedures in an open and inclusive manner to ensure that consumer concerns are understood and that patient confidentiality is protected.
Additionally, consumers must be engaged in the process of developing a system that will allow for the development of Personal Health Records (PHRs), which will enable individuals, over time, to play a more active and informed role in managing their own healthcare.
The HIN Board of Directors has committed itself to a policy of open, public and transparent governance. Consumer representation on the HIN Board of Directors and standing committees (including the Consumer Advisory Committee) will help demonstrate this commitment and build public understanding, trust and confidence. A strong link will be established between the Consumer Advisory Committee and the HIN Board of Directors by naming a Director as chair of the Advisory Committee.
Meeting Minutes
Membership
George Baldwin, AARP, Brunswick
Shenna Bellows, Maine Civil Liberties Union, Portland
Andrew Bossie, Maine Aids Alliance, Portland
John Branscombe, Eastern Maine Healthcare, Bangor
Elinor Goldblatt, AARP, Auburn
George Hill, Family Planning Association of Maine, Augusta
Crystal Keegan, RN Mercy Primary Care, Scarborough
Philip Moss, ESQ., South Portland
Suzanne Spruce, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, Brewer
Sue Stableford, University of New England Health Literacy Center, Portland
William Sullivan, Retired Unversity Administrator, Bangor
Kawika Thompson, University of Maine System, Farmington
Hugh Tilson, M.D., Ph.D., Maine Center for Public Health, Augusta
Goals
- Establish a standing Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) with broad membership outlined in HIN bylaws (see below)
- Initiate regular meeting schedule beginning in January, 2007
- Report on regular basis to HIN Board of Directors
- Ensure strong, ongoing consumer involvement in actively advising the HIN Board of Directors relative to:
- HIN's confidentiality and security policies;
- Initiatives designed to better understand and address consumer concerns regarding confidentiality, security and other issues;
- Plans for consumer education materials and consumer awareness initiatives;
- The Principles recommended by the MHINT Consumer Stakeholder Group;
- Development of HIN's Personal Health Record (PHR) strategy.
HealthInfoNet Bylaws Requirements
- There shall be a Consumer Advisory Committee comprised of citizens, consumer advocates, consumer organizations, legal experts, medical ethicists, health educators, privacy officers, public health professionals, and interested parties with experience and expertise in consumer participation and privacy protection in health information technology systems.
- The Committee shall be chaired by a Director.
- The Committee will be responsible for reviewing and advising on all policies and procedures related to the confidentiality of the HealthInfoNet clinical data and the privacy protection for patients.
- The Committee will be well versed in HIPAA and State law requirements as well as other federal and State guidelines and initiatives.
- The Committee will also review public health data laws and future provisions for access to the non-identified clinical data by researchers and other interested parties.
- A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. Committee meetings may be called by the Committee Chairperson or by a designee of the Committee Chairperson. The Committee shall keep regular minutes of its meeting and shall report its actions to the Board on a regular basis.