The “North Carolina Health Information Exchange Act,” creates the North Carolina Health Information Exchange (NC HIE). Any hospital that has an electronic health record system may connect to the NC HIE and submit individual patient demographic and clinical data on services paid for with Medicaid funds. The purpose of the system is to provide for a clearinghouse of data to improve healthcare coordination and promote cost-containment; however, participation in the system is voluntary and facilities may opt-out in the future.