[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT OF 2006

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4157) to 
     amend the Social Security Act to encourage the dissemination, 
     security, confidentiality, and usefulness of health 
     information technology;

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I rise in appreciation that House Leadership 
has at last brought a health information technology bill to the floor. 
As a cochair of the New Democrat Coalition, I have been a long-time 
supporter of health IT. I believe health IT, if done correctly, will 
highlight the need for personal accountability in health care, advance 
technological innovation, promote fiscal responsibility and, most 
importantly, improve health and save lives. Additionally, great strides 
can be made in homeland security as well as tracking disease and 
infection.
  I am pleased that H.R. 4157 will codify in law the Office of the 
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and that the 
coordinator will be tasked with devising a national strategic plan for 
implementing health IT. Additionally, the grant money authorized by the 
bill is a worthwhile, if small, step in the right direction. 
Representing western Wisconsin, I know too well how difficult it is for 
small medical practices to afford the purchase and upkeep of software 
and hardware needed for electronic medical records. The $5 million in 
grants to rural or underserved urban areas is the first of many such 
grants Congress must facilitate.
  While I am pleased the bill is moving forward, I am disappointed that 
negotiations were not done in a more bipartisan manner. It is good to 
see that harmful and invasive policies on privacy issues were removed 
from the bill, and I am hopeful that when the House and Senate meet in 
conference, members will take a hard look at strengthening further the 
bill's privacy provisions.
  Mr. Chairman, I plan on voting for this health IT bill and look 
forward to working with the Senate on improving it. America's doctors, 
nurses, and patients deserve 21st century technology in the health care 
system, and it is past time for Congress to be acting on this issue.




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