A network the healthcare system can trust.

Competing organizations and different jurisdictions need common infrastructure they can use with confidence. SHN’s Public Benefit Corporation structure, common rules and independent governance are designed to preserve that neutrality and protect the people whose care depends on the network.

The governance structure is established; remaining seats are being filled. The governing instruments define each body’s powers and appointment process.

Governance Council

Protect the common bargain

The Council exercises the reserved governance powers established in its instruments, including protections for neutrality and important changes to common participation terms and Open Access commitments. Its long-term model is designed to give participating public jurisdictions a voice in that stewardship as the network grows.

Changes to Open Access designations require Governance Council approval. The commercial operator cannot make those changes on its own.

Data Rights Trust

Protect defined patient data rights

The Trust provides independent protection within its mandate. It does not own patient data or operate the Member service.

The Data Rights Trust independently oversees and protects patient data rights: privacy, access, consent and accountability for how information is used. It protects those rights as new participants, services and technologies become part of the network.

Patient information is not a commodity for SHN to sell. Protected patient rights are a foundation of the network, not a feature someone must purchase. The governing documents call those protections the Patient Rights Floor; changes to them require the highest approval threshold in the governing instruments.

The Rules also provide for a Network Accountability Office that receives and investigates complaints from affected Individuals and their lawful representatives, as well as Members and Participants — including complaints about SHN — and reports the outcome. It is an SHN function, separate from the Data Rights Trust’s governance role.

Participant Advisory Council

Bring practical experience into improvement

Providers, health plans and technology builders know where administrative work accumulates and what makes an implementation succeed or fail.

The Participant Advisory Council brings that experience into the development of network rules, standards and operations. The Council is advisory, not a second operator or an alternative amendment authority; it gives participants an organized forum to raise problems and recommend changes.

Smart Health Network PBC

Operate the network and stand behind its work

Smart Health Network is a public benefit corporation. Its Board and management are responsible for the company, the common network and the services SHN provides.

This combines operating accountability with independent safeguards and participant input. The goal is infrastructure that can grow, improve and sustain itself while continuing to serve its public purpose.

What this means for participants

Your organization keeps its systems, decisions and choice of qualified operator. Buying an optional service does not buy superior common rights or control of the network. Shared governance makes it possible to work together without requiring a single organization to run healthcare for everyone else.

The Open Access commitment is protected through the Network’s governance; optional services are separately scoped and purchased. SHN sustains the Network through optional services and other legitimate committed support; purchasing an optional service is never a condition of Open Access.

Common rules can evolve as technology and needs change. Independent oversight, patient protections and participant experience are built into how that happens.

Understand the framework. Help shape its development.

The Network Rules and Network Participation Agreement — the published participation framework — are described on the Rules & Participation page, with the route to request the package for review. Contact the team for patient-rights questions, other governing-instrument information or opportunities to contribute to the network’s development.

Governance inquiries: governance@smarthealthnetwork.org