The New Jersey Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (NJ-HISPC) is a one-year study that will focus on solutions to privacy and security concerns that may exist in the transmittal of medical data between stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

The study's targeted completion date is April 2007. This contract is just a part of a long term project spearheaded by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) and HINT/HIPAA Task Force in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Thomas Edison State College seeking to encourage the deployment of electronic health records. Also, The Rutgers University, Center for State Health Policy will also participate as an active member in the NJ-HISPC.

The NJ-HISPC is part of a $17.23 million nationwide research program involving 34 states and territories. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is managed by RTI International of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina in cooperation with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices.

The NJ-HISPC will bring together a broad range of stakeholders including healthcare providers, insurance companies, hospitals, consumers, trade associations, third party bill processors, and all Departments and entities that in any way deal with medical records including Military and Veteran Affairs , Corrections, Workers Compensation, State Disability, State Health Plans, Mental Health facilities and the NJ Public Employees Health Plan.

NJ-HISPC will review current public and private institutional business practices, laws and regulations that impact on health information privacy and security. Specifically, the study will identify each of these factors as a barriers or enhancements to the exchange of electronic health information.

Governor Jon S. Corzine supports this program and joins DOBI, DHSS and Thomas Edison State College in recognizing the incentive for creating an electronic health records system in New Jersey. The ultimate goal is to build electronic systems that will safely transmit health information to doctors, hospitals and facilities where it will be instantly available for use by medical care givers. Electronic medical records reduce medical errors and unnecessary tests by allowing physicians to easily and efficiently share patients' medical records. The efficiency of an interoperable electronic health records system would reduce the cost of healthcare benefits for New Jersey consumers.

The NJ-HISPC is a volunteer effort in which input from all interested people and groups is a key element to its success. All those reaching this Web site are encouraged to join this important public health enterprise.