Press Release

April 23, 2008

Office of Public Affairs
(916) 795-3991
Pat Macht, Assistant Executive Officer
Contact: Karen Perkins, Information Officer
Press Room@calpers.ca.gov

CalPERS to Support Health Information Technology Project - Goal Is to Improve The Quality of Health Care By Sharing Clinical Information

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today announced it will endorse and support a statewide health information exchange system currently being developed by the California Regional Health Information Organization (CalRHIO), a not-for-profit organization committed to providing health care providers and patients access to vital health information.

The goals of the system are to help reduce medical errors and improve clinical outcomes for CalPERS members and all Californians by providing efficient access to electronic medical records.

The first phase of the CalRHIO project is to create a resource of patient data for physicians in emergency departments of CalPERS high-volume California hospitals, such as U.C. Davis, Sutter Sacramento and Cedar Sinai.

"As the largest purchaser of health benefits in California, we are pleased to lead the effort to drive the development of a statewide health information exchange system,” said CalPERS Board of Administration President Rob Feckner. “The electronic exchange of health data will lead to increased safety, higher quality and better coordination of care.”

CalPERS directed its current health plans – Anthem Blue Cross (formerly Blue Cross of California), Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente – to negotiate contract terms with CalRHIO. CalPERS will work with CalRHIO to ensure that privacy policies are strictly followed and that member health information is securely transferred.

The CalPERS Board encouraged CalRHIO to engage the CalPERS health plans to participate in the statewide information exchange system for their entire books of business – not just CalPERS.

“The CalRHIO project is a great opportunity to improve health care safety, quality and outcomes for our members,” said Priya Mathur, Chair of the Health Benefits Committee. “Getting timely and accurate information into the hands of emergency room physicians could mean more informed decisions, fewer errors and quicker care .”

CalPERS is the nation’s third largest purchaser of health benefits after the federal government and General Motors, providing health benefits to more than 1.2 million State and public agency employees, retirees and their dependents. For more information, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.

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Dated: 04-23-2008