[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 284--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

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 284

       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
       Resolved, 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.

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