The Senate and Assembly passed legislation that Governor Jon Corzine has signed into law, which will enhance the quality of health care delivered to N.J. residents through a health information technology system, enabling patients and medical practitioners to gain access to health records and avoid medical errors. The “New Jersey Health Information Technology Promotion Act” (A-4044) establishes N.J.’s first electronic medical records system and creates a Health Information Technology Commission to oversee the program.

The 19-member commission is established within the Department of Health and Senior Services to oversee the creation and functions of a state health IT plan. The members are from professional healthcare organizations in N.J., including one general practitioner physician, one physician from an acute care teaching hospital, and one physician from a non-teaching acute care hospital. The commission has access to assistance and services from any state agency as needed.