Mike B
I believe there is a compelling case for building a new database, with the data gathered and processed at the national (or even international!) level. I believe it would be more cost effective than having each state and/or other jurisdiction make their own, with the expectation that all the data would come together seamlessly for a national overview.
I understand that some states have their own databases that they are happy with, and there would be no need for them to give them up. Indeed, it is possible that it will be easier for them to get the data that goes into their databases. I also understand that there are some states that have databases that are so incomplete and/or hard to use that they consume time and money and give nothing in return.
I understand that there are privacy issues, but I do not believe that they are insurmountable.
I think that with some planning we can develop a system that will collect higher quality information from more sources with less effort all around, and we will be able to use the information to answer questions that at the moment we can only guess at.
I think now would be an excellent time to discuss what might be done.
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