ABOUT NASCIO | News
State Adoption of Health Information Technology Surging, State CIO Association FindsJuly 29, 2010
(LEXINGTON, Ky) — States have experienced expeditious growth in the adoption of health information technology over the past year, according to a new report, “Profiles of Progress 4: State Health IT Initiatives,” released today by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). The publication is available for download on NASCIO’s website, www.nascio.org/publications.
As government leaders increasingly support health IT as a means to improve patient care and reduce costs, it is increasingly imperative that states implement an enterprise-wide architecture for the statewide exchange of health information. NASCIO’s Profiles of Progress provides a snapshot of how states are responding to the challenge. The compendium analyzes what role, if any, the state CIO is playing in these efforts.
“State CIOs and government leaders recognize the...
State CIOs Promote Business Innovation and Request Reform in NASCIO/ TechAmerica/ Grant Thornton Survey
July 27, 2010
(LEXINGTON, Ky.) – In a study released today by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), TechAmerica and Grant Thornton, state CIOs emphasized the need to upgrade IT governance and strengthen central IT organizations in order to achieve goals for enhanced services and new efficiencies under tightened budgets.
“State governments will continue to endure tough fiscal conditions, which makes the state CIO's job even more challenging. However, the results of the survey clearly indicate this situation presents opportunities for CIOs to execute on cost-saving strategies, innovative business models, and advance the use of emerging technologies” said Doug Robinson, Executive Director of NASCIO.
“State CIOs, and their partners in the private sector, have responded to tough economic conditions with strong efforts to reduce costs and consolidate services,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We are pleased to collaborate with NASCIO and Grant Thornton on this survey, which sheds light on how CIOs around the country drive change in the way government works and enable states to do more with less. We agree with the CIOs that more needs to be done to encourage states to procure and deploy innovative IT solutions in cost-effective ways.”
Hank Steininger, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton’s Global Public Sector Practice, noted: “The results of this survey provide valuable insight to state government legislative and executive leadership as they formulate new budgets and enact policy changes in the coming months. With 37 governors races this year the information presented in this survey makes available to the incumbents and candidates the candid thoughts of the IT leadership on the current status of state IT as well as ways to improve efficiencies and operations and produce cost savings for states. Information technology is the enabler of government, in short, IT powers the business of government. States spend a significant amount of money on improving existing and building new IT systems. The results demonstrated in this report can be used to help drive new and better IT-related policies in the states.”
Facing the expectation of lower IT budgets and increased demands for new IT-enabled services, CIOs are consolidating applications and data centers, rolling out shared services and managed services models, and embracing emerging technologies, such as cloud computing and social media. Key challenges facing the CIOs are IT governance, in which they often find an imbalance between accountability and authority, IT portfolio management, and procurement processes. In the 60% of states which have an active portfolio management methodology in place, CIOs gave those processes a middling “C” grade. Likewise, procurement processes were found wanting, as most State CIOs see the need for reforms that will align state IT procurement with commercially-oriented contracting practices.
The survey addresses CIO views on IT portfolio management, IT investments and budgets, statewide IT business models, procurement, project management practices, and emerging technologies.
A full copy of the survey is available via the following link: www.nascio.org/publications/surveys.cfm.
NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership. State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members. Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members. Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org.
# # #
For additional information please contact Shawn Vaughn, NASCIO Membership and Communications Coordinator, at (859) 514-9156 or svaughn@AMRms.com.
AMR Management Services provides NASCIO's executive staff. For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com.
July NASCIO Connections now available
July 21, 2010
The monthly NASCIO Connections electronic newsletter highlights association news and features articles on information technology issues and initiatives affecting state government.
Restructuring and Redesigning State Government: Private Sector IT Leaders Offer Advice to State CIOs
July 7, 2010
(LEXINGTON, Ky.) - Can the exchange of great ideas between private and public sector technology leaders create innovation in government? The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) thinks so. NASCIO has engaged several private sector thought leaders for “Transforming Services: Private Sector Lessons for Government,” a panel session to be presented at the 2010 NASCIO Annual Conference, coming September 26-29 in Miami, Fla.
“States continue to face major fiscal challenges for the foreseeable future, but at the same time, technology advances and innovations present new opportunities to improve government operations,” stated Kyle Schafer, NASCIO vice president, chair of the 2010 Programs Committee and CIO for the State of West Virginia. “With 37 gubernatorial elections in November 2010, new administrations will be seeking fresh ideas. As economic factors and technological advances converge, there is a compelling...
Nominations for the NASCIO State Technology Innovator Award Now Open
Due July 15, 2010
2010 Conference Registration Now Open
June 14, 2010
NASCIO 2010 Annual Conference Sponsorship Registration Now Open
June 9, 2010
May NASCIO Connections now available
May 20, 2010
The monthly NASCIO Connections electronic newsletter highlights association news and features articles on information technology issues and initiatives affecting state government.
