MAK-AIRS

Opportunity or Opportunism?

AIRS just published a public policy statement entitled, "Opportunity or Opportunism? The Intersection of Public I&R System and Private Software Vendors". It was developed by the AIRS Public Policy Committee and has been provided to the US Administration for Community Living.  This document addresses the issues surrounding the market competition we are facing from private sector "closed loop referral" software vendors who are duplicating resources databases that have been maintained by I&Rs for decades.

The final paragraphs of the document read:

 

“Ultimately, community-based 211s and private sector vendors should partner together with healthcare entities to provide the best of all worlds – highly-developed, relevant resources for healthcare consumers that are maintained by certified database curators, staffed by trained I&R professionals, and have leading-edge software with the capacity and capability to provide and track referrals, and health outcomes. In effect, genuine Community Information Exchanges (such as in San Diego) governed by the community itself.

The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) encourages relevant Federal, State, and healthcare institutions to foster mutually beneficial partnerships with 211s for SDoH outcomes.”