On November 15, 2001, the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics issued the following challenge:
We as a Nation have a timely opportunity and an urgent need to build a 21st-century health support system - a comprehensive, knowledge-based system capable of providing information to all who need it to make sound decisions about health. Such a system can help realize the public interest related to disease prevention, health promotion, and population health.
Conscious that a properly maintained and funded information infrastructure is key to meeting the healthcare industry's current and future needs, HIMSS announced the launch of the NHII Task Force - the first of its kind - on October 16, 2002.
HIMSS Releases Public Opinion Survey on the Nationwide Health Information Network
In September, 2007 HIMSS commissioned American Viewpoint, Inc. to conduct national research relating to the development of the NHIN. In all, 57 percent of Americans favor and 30 percent oppose development of the NHIN. Support cuts across party lines as 56 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of Democrats, and 54 percent of Independents are in favor. Majority support is also apparent regardless of sex, income, race or geographic region.
