[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 247 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 247

  Designating the week of September 16 through September 20, 2013, as 
``National Health Information Technology Week'' to recognize the value 
  of health information technology in transforming and improving the 
         healthcare system for all people in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 19, 2013

   Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Thune) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the week of September 16 through September 20, 2013, as 
``National Health Information Technology Week'' to recognize the value 
  of health information technology in transforming and improving the 
         healthcare system for all people in the United States.

Whereas health information technology has been recognized as an essential tool 
        for improving patient care, ensuring patient safety, stopping 
        duplicative tests and paperwork, and reducing healthcare costs;
Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership has estimated that the 
        fully realized implementation of national standards for interoperability 
        and the exchange of health information could produce significant savings 
        in healthcare costs;
Whereas the use of health information technology enables providers to utilize 
        innovative tools to provide more efficient, personalized, and better 
        coordinated care, and helps patients be more engaged in managing their 
        own treatment;
Whereas Congress has made a commitment to realizing the benefits of health 
        information technology, including supporting the adoption of electronic 
        health records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while 
        ensuring the privacy of patients;
Whereas the adoption of electronic health records more than doubled for 
        physician practices and more than quadrupled for hospitals between 2008 
        and 2012;
Whereas it is necessary to continue improving the exchange of health information 
        confidently and securely between different providers, systems, and 
        insurers--a task that is foundational to transforming the healthcare 
        delivery system of the United States;
Whereas aligning the use of electronic health records with other reporting 
        efforts is critical to improving clinical outcomes for patients, 
        controlling costs, and expanding access to care through the use of 
        technology; 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 
        healthcare system that the implementation of health information 
        technology could achieve: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week of September 16 through September 
        20, 2013, as ``National Health Information Technology Week'';
            (2) recognizes the value of information technology and 
        management systems in transforming healthcare 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 
        healthcare system of the United States.
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