The U.S. healthcare system has a history of innovation marked by the ability to translate basic research into new clinical and therapeutic approaches that sustain human life and health. Such success brings with it significant challenges. Healthcare costs continue to rise at rates higher than inflation while producing a system mired with inconsistent quality and ever expanding access pressures. Against this backdrop, the institute of Medicine has concluded that the American healthcare system is in need of fundamental change, noting that healthcare today harms too frequently and fails to deliver its potential benefits. “in the 21st century, for two and a half trillion dollars, I think we can do better,” declares Dr. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for Health information Technology (HIT) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).