III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 284 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 23, 2009 Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation and goals of National Health Information Technology Week for the period beginning on September 21, 2009, and ending on September 25, 2009.

Whereas the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society has collaborated with more than 5 dozen stakeholder organizations for almost 50 years to transform health care by improving information technology and management systems; Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership estimated that the implementation of national standards for interoperability and the exchange of health information would save the United States approximately $77,000,000,000 in expenses relating to health care each year; Whereas health care information technology and management systems have been recognized as essential tools for improving the quality and cost efficiency of the health care system; Whereas Congress has made a commitment to leveraging the benefits of the health care information technology and management systems, including through the adoption of electronic medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients' privacy and codification of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; Whereas Congress has emphasized improving the quality and safety of delivery of health care in the United States; and Whereas since 2006, organizations across the United States have united to support National Health Information Technology Week to improve public awareness of the benefits of improved quality and cost efficiency of the health care system that the implementation of health information technology could achieve: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the value of information technology and management systems in transforming health care for the people of the United States; (2)designates the period beginning on September 21, 2009, and ending on September 25, 2009, as National Health Information Technology Week; and (3)calls on all stakeholders to promote the use of information technology and management systems to transform the health care system in the United States.