US rolls out e-records system

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the development of a health care records system that he said would allow Americans to more easily and broadly share their personal health information with health care providers.

- ZOLAN KANNO-YOUNGS REED ABELSON

“Today the dream of easily transportable, electronic medical records finally becomes a reality,” Trump said at a White House event that included the leaders of dozens of technology companies.

The administration is working with some of the largest American companies on the record-keeping system, including Google, Amazon, Apple and OpenAl. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will oversee the effort.

Many health care providers already allow patients to upload their medical information and schedule appointments through phone apps and online portals.

Trump and top federal health officials said the information-sharing project would be an effective replacement for a system that often involves arduous and redundant paperwork that patients fill out when visiting different providers.

The system, which aims in part to help Americans with diabetes and obesity, would also include artificial intelligence assistants to help Americans monitor symptoms and navigate health care options.

PRIVACY CONCERNS RAISED