Final answer:
Broad federal support for HIE, like the HITECH Act, is likely to result in significant progress towards realizing the goals of HIE in the US, as it addresses the development of a nationwide infrastructure and various barriers to HIE adoption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to which factors might lead to progress towards the goals of Health Information Exchange (HIE) in the United States. We can analyze the options provided. A technological breakthrough that dramatically lowers the cost of HIE (option a) would certainly make it more feasible for a wider range of healthcare providers to participate. Broad federal support for HIE as outlined in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act (option b) is a crucial component since it underscores the commitment at the federal level to the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. ;A Supreme Court decision (option c) that allows the exchange of patient information via the Internet, if it were to address privacy concerns effectively, might influence the progression of HIE. Lastly, a general consensus among stakeholders that HIE will save money (option d) can drive investment and adoption of HIE systems. Considering these options, broad federal support for HIE potentially has the most direct impact on realizing the goals of HIE because it can facilitate the development of a nationwide infrastructure and address financial, technical, and legislative barriers to HIE adoption.