Charleston, SC—Governor Jim Douglas today was selected by his colleagues to serve as lead governor on a major health care quality, information technology and cost containment initiative launched by the National Governors Association (NGA).

Governor Douglas said the NGA’s Health Quality and Information Technology initiatives would focus on using technology to improve quality, safety and efficiency in the health care system.  “States are focusing on the use of health information technology as another way to improve health care quality and help us lower costs by creating a safer and far more efficient, cost-effective system,” he added.

The Governor also noted that the work of the nation’s governors is inline with what his administration has been doing in Vermont.  “I enjoy the opportunity to share with other governors the many successes Vermont has had in reforming its health care system, encouraging Vermonters to live healthier lives, and taking aggressive steps to make health care more affordable,” he said.

In addition to leading the health policy initiative, Governor Douglas was asked by his colleagues to again serve on the organization’s Legal Affairs Committee and also as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

The governors were in Charleston, South Carolina for the 98th annual meeting of the nation’s governors.