[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 262--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 12, 
     2011, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011, AS ``NATIONAL HEALTH 
    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WEEK'' TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF HEALTH 
           INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN IMPROVING HEALTH QUALITY

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

                              S. Res. 262

       Whereas healthcare information technology and management 
     systems have been recognized as essential tools for improving 
     patient care, ensuring patient safety, stopping duplicative 
     tests and paperwork, and reducing health care costs;
       Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership 
     has 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 healthcare each year;
       Whereas Congress has made a commitment to leveraging the 
     benefits of healthcare information technology and management 
     systems, including supporting the adoption of electronic 
     health records that will help to reduce costs and improve 
     quality while ensuring the privacy of patients;
       Whereas Congress has emphasized improving the quality and 
     safety of delivery of healthcare 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 healthcare system that the 
     implementation of health information technology could 
     achieve: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning on September 12, 2011, 
     and ending on September 16, 2011, 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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