While New York and Illinois may boast some of the nation's largest health information exchanges, Michigan now is not too far behind.
Michigan Health Connect and the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange have merged to create the Great Lakes Health Connect--which means the state now hosts one of the nation's largest HIEs. The exchange will share the health records of more than 5 million people, according to an announcement.
"The merger of these two leading organizations means Great Lakes Health Connect can provide unparalleled access to electronic health records for participants in Michigan and beyond," said Doug Dietzman, executive director of the new organization and former executive director of Michigan Health Connect.
Brian McCardel, an orthopedic surgeon and chairman of the Great Lakes Health Information Exchange Board of Directors, added that the missions of both organizations were virtually identical. The HIEs, he said, "recognized ... that we could better achieve our vision for a healthier Michigan together, rather than independently." Announcement