Bryan Invests $500K in Health Records Sharing Network

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is committing $500,000 to build infrastructure that will let healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands exchange patient information securely.

Thursday's executive order creates a temporary governing structure leading toward a permanent Virgin Islands Health Data Utility. If approved by lawmakers, this utility would manage the territory's health information exchange, a system already in operation that gives authorized providers access to lab results, medication histories and other clinical data.

Residents who seek care on different islands or on the mainland stand to benefit from faster, more complete medical records. The arrangement could cut down on duplicate tests and reduce delays while doctors wait for information to arrive, Government House stated.

"When you're sick and need medical care, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether your doctor can get your medical records," Mr. Bryan said.

Executive Order No. 550-2027 places the interim framework under the governor's office, with a senior advisor and staff working alongside the Office of Health Information Technology. The order replaces a previous interim board with a nine-member voting body drawing representatives from the public hospital system, St. Thomas East End Medical Center, Frederiksted Health Center, the departments of Health and Human Services, and the health IT office. Each district also sends a medical provider representative and a patient advocate to the board.

The board's role includes setting privacy and data-sharing standards and potentially establishing a nonprofit entity to seek grants and donations. The order mandates adherence to HIPAA and other privacy and security requirements. Any shift of government money, assets or information to a nonprofit requires legislative approval.

Bill No. 36-0228 would create the permanent utility as an independent nonprofit public-benefit corporation. Senators raised concerns in February when the Committee of the Whole reviewed the measure, questioning the projected $1.8 million budget and a proposed fee increase. The $500,000 Bryan committed covers interim costs including personnel, community engagement and routine administration.

Within 60 days of taking office, the senior advisor must present a work plan and then report to the governor every 60 days thereafter. The temporary framework expires after 24 months or once the permanent utility's board is established under the law, whichever happens sooner.

The territory earned selection as the pilot site for the National Trusted Exchange Implementation Initiative, a nationwide push to strengthen secure records sharing. Federal funding of nearly $600,000 backs the effort through Zane Networks alongside partners net.America and CRISP Shared Services. The health information exchange itself rests on a 2024 partnership with CRISP Shared Services.