The Sequoia Project https://sequoiaproject.org, a non-profit dedicated to solving health IT interoperability for the public good, has launched their new public-private cooperative called “Interoperability Matters” The cooperative invites experts from across the healthcare and healthcare IT communities to identify, prioritize, and collaborate on the most pressing discrete challenges to nationwide health information sharing.
“Distinguishing legitimate policy differences from information blocking requires deep understanding of complex policy, technical and business issues, “ explained Mariann Yeager CEO of The Sequoia Project. “Our Interoperability Matters cooperative will focus on the practical implications of information sharing practices and will inform information blocking public policy.”
The Interoperability Matters Advisory Group will prioritize critical issues that have the potential to improve the exchange of health information nationwide. Healthcare subject matter experts and stakeholders from across the private sector and government will form Interoperability Matters work groups.
The Advisory Group will meet regularly to review work groups and their progress, review recommendations, and obtain input from the public. The final work product will be a consensus built resource and plan of action for the healthcare sector to leverage and implement to minimize or eliminate that barrier. The Interoperability Matters forum will focus first on information blocking, but additional priorities and work groups will be identified at the upcoming Sequoia Project Annual Meeting.
The healthcare and healthcare IT community is encouraged to participate in the Interoperability Matters forum regardless of an affiliation with the Sequoia Project. Interested individuals and organizations can apply online at https://seqoiaproject.org/interoperability-matters.