SYSTEMS

Sun Microsystems announced today that it will work as part of a consortium led by Computer Sciences Corporation to help support the development of a prototype for a Nationwide Health-Information Network architecture. Sun was selected for its expertise in federated network identity management, its successful deployments of service-oriented architectures, and its joint initiatives with Microsoft around interoperability and Internet security. The effort proceeded in conjunction with other contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on November 10, 2005. Designed to help support a secure, standards-compliant framework for the nationwide exchange of electronic health records, this architecture represents an important step in realizing President Bush's vision for an interoperable electronic health record for every American. With an extensive legacy in the healthcare space, Sun is committed to helping this industry leverage information technology (IT) to power health-information networks and bridge the healthcare digital divide through a wide range of technology offerings and services. "The Department of Health & Human Services is laying the foundation for a healthcare infrastructure that can significantly improve patient care and lower costs for all Americans," said Wayne Owens, Vice President, Healthcare Integration Platforms, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Sun has an extensive track record of expertise in deploying regional and national health-information organizations around the world, and we're proud to be working alongside CSC on the development of this critical nationwide network here in the United States." Leading this effort with technology providers like Sun, CSC plans to build on the health information exchange architecture of the Connecting for Health prototype and demonstrate the feasibility of secure health information exchange among key healthcare institutions, including hospitals, health plans, physician offices, government agencies and others throughout the United States. The contract, which has one base year and a one-year option, is valued at approximately $7 million to the CSC-led team if the option is exercised. "Our team is composed of highly qualified organizations and individuals committed to improving the quality of health information and care delivery in the United States," said Daniel T. Garrett, managing partner of CSC's Global Health Solutions organization. "We look forward to applying our experience and broad expertise to help the Department of Health and Human Services achieve exceptional results."