SureScripts Statement on the Creation of the American Health Information Community.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- SureScripts applauds Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt on the formation of the American Health Information Community (AHIC) to ensure interoperability and standards for electronic health records. We are proud that Kevin Hutchinson, president and CEO of SureScripts, will represent the interests of ancillary services that support physician decision-making, such as the pharmacy and medical laboratory communities, and will play a role in the important contribution of this Community to developing standards and interoperability necessary to accelerate adoption of health information technology (IT).

As the nation's largest network provider of electronic prescribing services, SureScripts recognizes the critical need for health IT interoperability to support modern practices such as electronic health records, e-prescribing and systematic adverse drug event reporting. We have confidence in Secretary Leavitt's leadership in addressing key issues, including the obligation to protecting privacy and security; the necessity of prioritizing immediate benefits of health IT such as drug safety; and the prerequisite of creating a national, Internet-based infrastructure for the exchange of health information based on recognized standards of privacy, security, neutrality, adaptability and interoperability.

Mr. Hutchinson will be among 16 representatives from federal and state government and private industry interests, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop, set and certify standards within the healthcare industry to achieve a common interoperable framework.

Earlier this year, SureScripts was recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for our selection of the NCPDP SCRIPT standard as the foundation of our electronic prescribing network. The use of this standard among certified pharmacies was cited by CMS as an example of industry experience necessary to recommend to CMS the NCPDP SCRIPT standard as a foundation standard under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

SureScripts recognizes the significant role AHIC will play in improving the American healthcare system, and we are proud and committed to sharing our expertise to ensure the panel's success.

To arrange an interview with Kevin Hutchinson, President and CEO of SureScripts, please call the contacts listed below.