Internet2's new network has the potential to provide significant benefit to the Health Research, Education, Clinical Care and Public Health disciplines. Accordingly, in 2006 Internet2 established the HealthNet Initiative to leverage the existing programs, collaborations, and advanced networking capabilities of Internet2. The HealthNet Initiative aims to help create a comprehensive approach to serve the needs of the healthcare industry, support the development of new health sciences innovation, and most importantly extend medical resources and care to all regions of the United States.
In July 2006, as a first step in this initiative, Internet2 entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). The two organizations have committed to work together to determine the feasibility of a secure and reliable advanced networking solution for the biomedical community. The organizations have established three Working Groups in the areas of security and privacy, biomedical education, and telehealth to explore the requirements and capabilities needed to create an advanced medical network.
In September 2006, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created a pilot program to help public and non-profit health care providers establish state and regional broadband networks dedicated to health care services in rural areas. By leveraging the resources of national research networks like Internet2, this new program will catalyze the formation of a ubiquitous advanced healthcare network that will improve citizens' access to first class health services, resources and research especially in traditionally underserved areas of the country. Internet2 supported participation in this pilot project by routinely convening experts from the research and education community, regional networking organizations, and the health sciences together to help understand the requirements, services, and resources needed to take full advantage of this program. As members of the community develop and submit their formal proposals to the FCC, Internet2 will continue to advise and provide guidance on the proposal process and requirements.
The FCC pilot program and the partnership with HIMSS are significant strides forward in implementing the Healthnet Initiative. In the seven years since the establishment of the Internet2 Health Sciences Initiative in 2000, Internet2 members and partners have seen the impact that advanced technology can have on extending healthcare services. The developments during 2006 have laid the foundation for the Healthnet Initiative to progress to the next level.