Liberal government tables bill that seeks to streamline, secure health data

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals are moving to streamline and secure health data across jurisdictions with a new bill that imposes new rules on technology vendors.

Health Minister Mark Holland tabled the legislation in the House of Commons this morning.

The bill would require vendors to ensure that health information tech they license, sell or supply as a service is interoperable.

That means patients and health-care providers would be able to completely and securely access the data and exchange it with other systems — for example, those being used in another hospital or jurisdiction.