[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 208 Referred in House (RFH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 208


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 7, 1994

       Referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Designating the week of November 6, 1994, through November 12, 1994, 
            ``National Health Information Management Week''.

Whereas accurate, timely, and complete medical records and related health 
        information play a vital role in planning and providing quality health 
        care for the citizens of the United States, beginning at birth and 
        continuing throughout their lives;
Whereas there is an escalating public concern about the quality, 
        appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care, and, to provide 
        public accountability, specific skills in evaluating and reporting the 
        results of that care are required;
Whereas equitable third-party reimbursement for heath care is dependent upon 
        health information that is collected, analyzed, classified, verified, 
        and disseminated;
Whereas computer technology is changing the character of health information, 
        requiring proficiency in designing systems, controlling comprehensive 
        databases, managing computer networks and related technology while 
        regulating access to the data, and maintaining the security and 
        confidentiality of individual patient information;
Whereas there is an increasing public awareness of patient rights including the 
        right of patients to access their own medical information;
Whereas protecting the confidentiality of patient-identifiable health data is an 
        important consideration in the contemporary health care environment;
Whereas the health care industry's needs, requirements, and use of health 
        information is changing rapidly, and the rate of change will continue to 
        escalate in the future as new technology is utilized and new health care 
        reform policies are promulgated; and
Whereas the members of the American Health Information Management Association 
        are America's health information leaders, with demonstrated commitment 
        to and expertise in health information management, including balancing 
        patients' rights and confidentiality of health information with 
        legitimate uses of data, serving as an advocate for the patients' right 
        to access their own records, preserving the confidentiality and security 
        of patient data, valuing the quality of health information as evidenced 
        by its integrity, accuracy, consistency, reliability, and validity, 
        valuing the quality of health information as evidenced by its impact on 
        the quality of health care delivery, investigating and applying new 
        technology to advance the management of health information, and 
        developing the computer based-patient record: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of November 6, 
1994, through November 12, 1994, is designated ``National Health 
Information Management Week'', and the President is authorized and 
requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the citizens of the 
United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.

            Passed the Senate October 6 (legislative day, September 
      12), 1994.

            Attest:

                                                MARTHA S. POPE,

                                                             Secretary.