[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 182 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2897-E2898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, the passage of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act of 2009 will expedite the adoption of electronic 
medical records throughout the health care sector nationwide. Creating 
an interoperable information technology network for health care will 
decrease health care costs and increases patient safety. While the 
implementation of electronic medical records were an internal feature 
of this act, another new and innovative technology, the personal health 
record (PHR), has emerged to further strengthen the health care system 
by engaging individuals directly in their health care experiences. 
Active consumer engagement promises better patient health outcomes, 
reduction in health care costs, and greater patient safety. For these 
reasons, I am proud to introduce the Personal Health Records Act of 
2009 today with my colleague Representative David Reichert.
  We are all concerned with rising health care costs. Portable, 
Internet-based PHRs can be a critical piece of the process of improving 
the quality and efficiency of the health care system in this country. 
With PHRs, patients can both electronically import and export pertinent 
medical information to their health care providers. As a patient 
travels between multiple health care facilities, the patient's complete 
medical record can be easily accessed at the nearest computer, thus 
decreasing health care cost through limiting the number of repeated 
laboratory and diagnostic tests.
  PHRs also engage patients in their medical care decisions by allowing 
them to personalize their medical history, medication lists, and 
allergies from a click of their mouse at their home. Patients can avoid 
repeatedly having to fill out the proverbial office room clipboard 
repeatedly. Additionally, PHRs can give patients a vehicle for 
personalized communication with their providers, thus allowing them to 
receive reminders, as an example, for preventive care, or receive 
information about medications they have been prescribed.
  In order to maximize the potential of PHRs, the Personal Health 
Records Act of 2009 would define the critical components to be included 
in PHRs, including past medical and surgical history, medications, and 
allergies. The legislation also requires the Office of the National 
Coordinator to develop guidelines regarding the technological standards 
for interoperability between PHRs and electronic health records, and 
makes recommendations for the incorporation of PHRs into community and 
behavioral health programs. As health care provider adoption of PHRs is 
paramount to their success, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement through 
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would be available for 
providers that demonstrate meaningful use of electronic medical records 
through the interoperability of electronic medical records with PHRs.
  Since PHRs will change the landscape of how confidential, health care 
information is obtained across the nation, issues of privacy, security, 
and patient safety are incorporated into PHR development from the 
onset. While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
addresses many of these issues, the Personal Health Record Act further 
evaluates issues pertaining to PHR privacy, utilization, and patient 
safety.
  The Personal Health Record Act aims to empower individuals to have a 
greater involvement in their medical care decisions. This engagement 
will lead to better health outcomes, not only by giving health care 
providers a more complete picture of a patient's medical history, but 
also by providing a tool through which the consumer can actively engage 
in their health care.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
legislation.

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