Key Takeaways from the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting

Earlier this month, Jaki Porter, Chief Operating Officer, represented MiHIN at the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting. This year's meeting, held in Nashville, Tennessee, was an incredible opportunity to connect with healthcare leaders from across the nation, all focused on advancing health information exchange and addressing the challenges that come with it. From Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and  public health to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™), the discussions offered valuable insights into where we are and where we’re headed in the journey toward true interoperability.

Celebrating Progress

One of the most striking highlights was the scale of progress. The eHealth Exchange network now handles over 2 billion monthly transactions—a testament to how far we’ve come as an industry. While we know gaps in health data exchange still exist, this scale is something to be proud of. It’s proof of the growing connectivity and collaboration happening in healthcare today.

Keynote Insights

Reciprocity and trust emerged as a recurring theme during the meeting. A particularly impactful keynote by Jim Jirjis, MD, MBA, FACP is Division Director of Data Policy and Standards within the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology at CDC, reminded us of the importance of purposeful data sharing—data that creates value without becoming a burden. Jim made a powerful analogy, comparing clean, trustworthy data to clean water. Just as standardized plumbing systems ensure reliable water flow, standardized systems in health IT are critical for seamless, trusted data exchange.

Another significant focus of the event was public health. eHealth Exchange is playing a pivotal role in improving interoperability in this space, and the conversations highlighted the importance of continuing to expand these efforts. The future of TEFCA and QHINs also sparked engaging dialogue, particularly around how the next ASTP/ONC Director will influence the direction of these initiatives and the idea of Metcalfe’s Law, emphasizing that the value of our networks will grow exponentially as more participants join. 

2025 Priorities for Progress

Jay Nakashima, Executive Director of eHealth Exchange, unveiled the organization’s 2025 roadmap, emphasizing key priorities such as advancing TEFCA adoption, leveraging FHIR for interoperability, and enhancing data quality through rigorous testing by participants.

Looking Ahead

This year’s meeting was a reminder of how much progress we’ve made in health data exchange while also reaffirming the work that still lies ahead. Together, we must continue to advance interoperability, foster trust, and ensure data sharing creates true value—not only for providers but, most importantly, for patients.