109 HR 4642 IH: Wired for Health Care Quality Act U.S. House of Representatives 2005-12-18 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 109th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4642 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 18, 2005 Mr. Issa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Wired for Health Care Quality Act.

2.

Improving health care, quality, safety, and efficiency

The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: .

3.

Health information technology resource center

Section 914 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299b–3) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d)

Center for Best Practices

(1)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall develop a Center for Best Practices to provide technical assistance and develop best practices to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement, and effectively use interoperable health information technology in compliance with section 2903 and 2908. (2)

Center for best practices

(A)

In general

The Center shall support activities to meet goals, including— (i)providing for the widespread adoption of interoperable health information technology; (ii)providing for the establishment of regional and local health information networks to facilitate the development of interoperability across health care settings and improve the quality of health care; (iii)the development of solutions to barriers to the exchange of electronic health information; or (iv)other activities identified by the States, local or regional health information networks, or health care stakeholders as a focus for developing and sharing best practices. (B)

Purposes

The purpose of the Center is to— (i)provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience; (ii)accelerate the transfer of lessons learned from existing public and private sector initiatives, including those currently receiving Federal financial support; (iii)assemble, analyze, and widely disseminate evidence and experience related to the adoption, implementation, and effective use of interoperable health information technology; and (iv)assure the timely provision of technical and expert assistance from the Agency and its contractors. (C)

Support for activities

To provide support for the activities of the Center, the Director shall modify the requirements, if necessary, that apply to the National Resource Center for Health Information Technology to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the duties and activities of the Center and facilitate information exchange across the public and private sectors. (3)

Technical assistance telephone number or website

The Secretary shall establish a toll-free telephone number or Internet website to provide health care providers and patients with a single point of contact to— (A)learn about Federal grants and technical assistance services related to interoperable health information technology; (B)learn about qualified health information technology and the quality measurement system adopted by the Federal Government under sections 2903 and 2908; (C)learn about regional and local health information networks for assistance with health information technology; and (D)disseminate additional information determined by the Secretary. (4)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010..

4.

Reauthorization of incentive grants regarding telemedicine

Section 330L(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–18(b)) is amended by striking 2002 through 2006 and inserting 2006 through 2010.