Rhode Island health exchange said to improve care, but concerns raised

In a ceremony at the State House, Gov. Carcieri signed the Rhode Island Health Information Exchange Act of 2008, which was written after the quality institute held dozens of meetings with consumers, providers, insurers, academics, employers, and others. The law establishes the rules governing the state's health exchange: it gives patients control over who sees their records, puts the Health Department in charge, requires a commission to oversee the exchange, and sets civil and criminal penalties for violating the law.