Online Health
IT and Privacy
Discussion

Days before a critical presidential election, citizens and stakeholders from around the nation were part of a unique online dialogue that tackled the key issue of how we can realize the benefits of Health IT while safeguarding privacy. AmericaSpeaks worked with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and Delib, to host the ten-day citizen-driven online conversation. Participants discussed challenges, generated ideas, and recommended principles.

During the week that the dialogue was open, more than 500 ideas and comments were posted on the site and unique visitors hailed from every U.S. state and territory. The dialogue highlighted points of agreement and emerging themes, guiding participants to a consensus in real time. A group of informed experts were on hand throughout the week to contribute a diverse range of viewpoints.

The dialogue targeted individuals and groups with an active interest in this issue but was open and accessible to everyone. Participating stakeholders included: consumer, disability and patient rights advocates; federal and state government staff, health care providers, insures and industry representatives; large and small businesses; open government advocates; researchers and students; and non-profit organizations.

This project marked the successful development of an innovative online tool for government engagement with the public. Using this new tool, the project collected ideas and perspectives on the issue of health IT and privacy from over 3,000 citizens. These contributions were then compiled into a report to OMB, the Federal OIC Council, Obama’s Transition Team, and participants. Since then, this tool has been used more than a dozen times by federal government agencies to involve the public in their work.