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Prior to his nomination, Chopra served as managing director of the Advisory Board Co., a health care think tank, and continues to serve as Virginia's first Secretary of Technology. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) lauded his nomination in April, stating “Secretary Chopra’s spirit of innovation has played a key role in Virginia’s continued ranking as a top-performing state, including the launch of Virginia’s Productivity Investment Fund which catalyzed promising ideas to lower costs and improve outcomes.”
Virginia Senator Mark Warner (D) also praised Obama's choice, saying “I also worked closely with Secretary Chopra on Virginia's effort to expand rural broadband access so that no region is left behind in a global economy. I applaud President Obama for demonstrating leadership in recognizing the importance of technology in our national policy dialogue.”
In his capacity as Secretary of Technology, Chopra used IT to streamline government administration and improve services, including health IT projects such as a secure online registry for advanced health care directives, which will eventually serve as a platform for clinical exchange between health care providers.
In his testimony, Chopra specified the need to “bend the health care cost curve” with advanced technology, as well as to “deliver an educational system focused on student excellence with special emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Chopra made his vision for the future role of IT clear, saying “It is this ability to connect and empower people by putting more power into people's hands that holds some of the greatest promise for solving America's challenges.“
