Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has allocated $500,000 to advance a plan for hospitals, clinics and other providers to securely share patient records across the U.S. Virgin Islands. An executive order announced Thursday sets up an interim framework to prepare for a permanent Virgin Islands Health Data Utility, which would run the territory’s existing health information exchange if lawmakers authorize it.
The exchange is the system that allows authorized providers to share patient information, including lab results and medication records. The proposed utility would oversee and operate that system. For residents who travel between islands or to the mainland for care, broader access to records could reduce repeat testing and the time doctors spend waiting for information. Government House says the exchange is already operational, building on the territory’s 2024 agreement with CRISP Shared Services.
“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 establishes the interim framework within the Office of the Governor, where a senior advisor and support staff will work with the Office of Health Information Technology. The order replaces an existing interim board with a nine-member voting board that includes representatives from the territory’s public hospital system, St. Thomas East End Medical Center, Frederiksted Health Center, the departments of Health and Human Services, and the health IT office. A medical provider representative and a patient advocate from each district round out the board.
The board will advise on privacy and data-sharing policies and can organize a nonprofit to pursue grants and charitable contributions. The order requires compliance with HIPAA and other applicable privacy and security laws. Any transfer of government funds, property or data to the nonprofit must be authorized by law.
The permanent utility would be established as an independent nonprofit public-benefit corporation under Bill No. 36-0228. When the Committee of the Whole heard the measure in February, senators questioned its projected $1.8 million cost and a proposed surcharge increase. The $500,000 allocated under Bryan’s order supports interim expenses such as staffing, outreach and day-to-day operations.
The senior advisor must submit a work plan within 60 days of designation and report to the governor at least every 60 days. The interim framework ends after 24 months or when the permanent utility’s governing board is constituted under the legislation, whichever comes first.
Government House said the Virgin Islands was selected as the first implementation site for the National Trusted Exchange Implementation Initiative, an effort to expand secure records sharing nationwide. A federal contract worth nearly $600,000 supports that work through Zane Networks and its partners, net.America and CRISP Shared Services.
