“As Karen DeSalvo begins her tenure as the country’s National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the National Partnership for Women & Families and consumers across the nation welcome her bold vision and proven leadership skills. We are confident she will prioritize the needs of patients and families as federal health IT policy advances.

DeSalvo’s on-the-ground experience in New Orleans demonstrates her impressive ability to bring diverse stakeholders together. We are confident that she will use those skills to build support for efforts to ensure that health IT is used to achieve the triple aim of better health, better health care and lower costs for patients and families.

DeSalvo knows firsthand that electronic health record systems must be built with these health policy goals in mind, and understands well how to address the challenges associated with building health IT infrastructure in our local communities.

As the focus of the Meaningful Use Incentive Program shifts in Stage 3 from expanding access to improving health outcomes, DeSalvo’s background is critical to realizing the full potential of health IT, which can help reduce health disparities affecting underserved populations and ensure that every American has the opportunity to live a full, healthy life. We look forward to working with her to continue reforming our health care system to deliver efficient, patient- and family-centered care.”

NOTE: In 2012, the National Partnership released a national public opinion survey examining consumer views on health IT. Making IT Meaningful: How Consumers Value and Trust Health IT is available here. Earlier this year, the Consumer Partnership for eHealth compiled a list of the top ten consumer benefits of health IT, which are available here.