David Lansky's Cover Letter to HHS

Dear Dr. Brailer:

It has been our privilege to convene the patient and consumer organizations listed below to develop a statement of Patient and Consumer-focused Principles for design of the National Health Information Network in response to your Request for Information. They identified what they believe to be the critical concerns and hopes of the American public as we all work together to build a more effective and efficient health care system that capitalizes on the benefits to health that can come from the use of information. The development of these principles involved the participation of:

• AFL-CIO
• Consumers Union
• Families USA
• Health Privacy Project
• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
• National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship
• National Consumers League
• National Health Council
• National Partnership for Women and Families

These organizations are committed to shaping a NHIN that puts patients and families at the center—giving each person the opportunity to better manage his or her own health and health care. We look forward to working with you to turn these principles into an operating reality for every American.

Sincerely,
David Lansky, Ph.D.
Director, Health Program