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Vermont HIE argues for expansion of clinical data sharing, cautions claims (APCD) are not a substitute for real‑time clinical information
Summary
Vital (Vermont Health Information Exchange) told the committee that an independent statewide HIE is the most cost‑effective route to clinical interoperability; the HIE urged greater clinical data types and funding to help smaller providers connect and said claims/APCD data are useful for policy but not for real‑time clinical care.
Beth Anderson, president and CEO of Vital (the Vermont Health Information Exchange), told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee the HIE is a cost‑effective, neutral way to share clinical data among providers across Vermont and urged the committee to expand clinical data types in the exchange rather than focusing solely on claims data.
Anderson described Vital's role collecting, standardizing and matching clinical records from diverse EHRs and other systems and delivering that information back to providers via a portal or direct feeds into provider EHRs. She said Vital is built to preserve local control, protect patient privacy and provide data in clinician workflows; she described an opt‑out/consent outreach effort and said nearly all Vermonters approve data sharing once they understand how it is used.
Anderson told senators that while administrative claims/APCD data are valuable for policy and research, they have a timelag and are incomplete for clinicians who need immediate, actionable clinical records. The HIE recommended prioritizing clinical data types (immunizations, labs, problem lists, medication lists, social determinants screening) and investing in provider support to connect smaller organizations. She said connections sometimes require vendor fees or local IT staff and suggested targeted funding to defray those costs so smaller practices and nontraditional providers can participate.
Anderson said Vital supports the bill's goals to integrate clinical and cost data but asked legislators to focus on operational funding and delivery of data into clinician workflows rather than adding claims submission as a priority for real‑time care.
No formal action was taken during the testimony; Anderson said Vital will provide written comments on the bill.
