From AMIA: "Implementing information technology for the nation is an extraordinary challenge that must be addressed if we are to successfully solve the many problematic dimensions facing health care in America today. Through this recent collaborative effort, including the expert resources of AMIA, we have been able to suggest tested advice for David Brailer and his staff." - Don E. Detmer, AMIA President and CEO

From ANSI/HISB: "The collaboration among these industry groups demonstrates an unprecedented commitment to making the NHII a reality. It is my sincere hope that this will be the first of many collaborative efforts required for successful implementation of the NHII." - Robert L. Owens, Chair; Health Informatics Standards Board

From CITL: "The Collaborative Response to the ONCHIT RFI describes the critical technology requirements, and guiding principles -- a Common Framework -- to create a 21st century National Health Information Network. Without consideration of such a Common Framework for the NHIN we are at risk of implementing IT solutions in healthcare that can obtain only half their potential value. Without information exchange and interoperability between systems, we may implement islands of automation across clinics and hospitals that cannot communicate with each other, and thus cannot fully support the transformation of US healthcare." - Blackford Middleton, MD, MPH, MSc; Chairman of CITL Executive Committee

From Connecting for Health: "The principles developed by the collaborative will put patients and their families at the very center of the health care system, supported and surrounded by an information environment that they can use - or allow others to use - to make decisions, monitor health, provide feedback, and support strategic analytic functions that produce measurable improvements in health." - Carol Diamond, MD, Managing Director, Markle Foundation

From eHealth Initiative: "In working on this response, we found that we hold far more in common than we ever imagined. This represents the first-ever set of detailed recommendations regarding the specific attributes and principles of an environment for health information sharing developed by such a large and diverse group of stakeholders. Our collaborative response should lay the foundation for the actual execution of a 21st century healthcare system that will help us reduce medical errors, improve quality, and begin to tackle issues related to rising healthcare costs." - Janet Marchibroda, Chief Executive of eHealth Initiative and Executive Director of the eHealth Initiative Foundation

From HL7: "HL7 is pleased to be included in the diverse group of healthcare industry and policy leaders contributing to a consensus response to this important RFI. We firmly believe that the goal of a National Health Information Network will be facilitated by this unprecedented collaborative effort. We look forward to continued work with the collaborative in support of this important national initiative. Our focus will be on ensuring that the Common Framework incorporates the tenets of semantic interoperability as implemented in our Version 3 standards; including the inherent need to bind standard vocabularies to information exchange models defined by use cases." - Mark J. Shafarman, Chair, HL7 Board of Directors

From HIMSS, HIMSS EHRVA, and IHE: "Each of the 13 organizations brings a unique perspective and targeted expertise related to the development of an interoperable health information environment. This collaborative response further strengthens and substantiates the industry's effort - and ability - to work together for the nationwide adoption of a 'common framework' for the electronic exchange of health information." - H. Stephen Lieber, President/CEO of HIMSS

From Internet2: "Ubiquitous and secure access to medical information and resources will lead to more timely, more accurate, and more cost-effective healthcare. By applying advanced information technology capabilities to the current healthcare architecture, we believe the entire industry - from patients to doctors to administrators - will greatly benefit." - Gary Bachula, vice president of external relations for Internet2

From Liberty Alliance: "As the only open standards body focused exclusively on the transaction of identity information, Liberty Alliance is pleased to have played a role in this significant collaborative submission. We firmly believe the adoption of federated identity is key to a viable national health network that protects the privacy and security of all members. A National Health Information Network would expand the reach of our healthcare system and help contain escalating healthcare costs. These are undeniable social benefits, and Liberty's members are proud to be associated with this effort as experts in federated identity." - Donal O'Shea, Executive Director of the Liberty Alliance

From The National Alliance for Health Information Technology: "Dr. Brailer is uniquely qualified to lead the government efforts and work with the private sector to develop information technology standards and infrastructure to enhance patient care and operating efficiencies. We applaud his commitment to seek responses from technology organizations, healthcare providers, industry associations and other stakeholders." - Scott Wallace, president and chief executive officer of the Alliance

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About the Thirteen Collaborating Organizations

National Health Information Environment Summary: A Collaborative Approach