Whereas the Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Society has collaborated with more than 5 dozen healthcare organizations for
almost 50 years to transform health care by improving information technology
and management systems;
Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership
estimates 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 privacy of patients 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)designates the
week beginning on June 14, 2010, and ending on June 18, 2010, as
National Health Information Technology Week
;
(2)recognizes the
value of information technology and management systems in transforming health
care for the people of the United States; and
(3)calls on all
interested parties to promote the use of information technology and management
systems to transform the health care system in the United States.