Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order Wednesday to accelerate California’s efforts to adopt health information technology. The order also calls for statewide quality reporting standards, increased transparency of cost and quality data, and more accountability in public and private health care delivery systems. This order builds on the governor’s health care reform proposal released in January.

CMA supports the adoption of health IT whenever possible and has been at the forefront for many years promoting IT standards and use among doctors and other health care providers. CMA is opposed, however, to unfunded mandates. Many small practices and practices operating in poor and rural areas cannot afford some technologies and, in some cases, don’t have high-speed Internet access. Without financial assistance, the governor’s mandate would be an undue burden for these doctors who are already, in many cases, providing free or underfunded care to the poor and disadvantaged.

Click here to read the governor's order.