[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HEALTH IT

  (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Health 
Information Technology, one of the most important and immediate ways we 
can increase patient safety and help more Americans access quality 
health care.
  Health Information Technology, like electronic medical records and e-
prescribing, can help doctors save money, time and, most importantly, 
save lives. But as I speak to practicing physicians across America, I 
am hearing the same thing time and time again, Mr. Speaker: I would 
love to invest in this new technology, but the costs are simply 
prohibitive.
  This is why I have introduced H.R. 4641, legislation to increase tax 
deductions for physicians who invest in Health Information Technology. 
If more physicians can afford Health IT, more Americans can benefit 
from these systems.
  Mr. Speaker, a recent RAND study reveals that a widely adopted Health 
IT system could save the United States more than $126 billion each and 
every year. We have a unique opportunity then to help doctors, patients 
and the American taxpayer in one fell swoop.
  It is absolutely crucial that we encourage the adoption of HIT, 
Health Information Technology. Congress must act, and we must act now. 
H.R. 4641 is the right approach to lower the cost barriers to Health IT 
for our physicians.

                          ____________________