[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E243-E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE STANDARD DATA ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2013

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague Mr. Doggett of 
Texas, to introduce the Standard Data and Technology Advancement Act of 
2013, or the ``Standard DATA Act.'' This legislation follows 
legislation previously introduced and championed by former Congressman 
Geoff Davis during his time as the Committee on Ways and Means Human 
Resources Subcommittee Chairman.
  The Standard DATA Act builds on the progress that has been made to 
establish consistent requirements for the electronic content and format 
of data used in the administration of key human services programs 
authorized by the Social Security Act.
  Human services programs serve overlapping populations and should, 
from an information technology standpoint, operate consistently within 
and across programs. By continuing the process of data standardization 
and the use of common reporting mechanisms, this bill will help achieve 
three goals: better prevent and identify fraud and abuse; increase the 
efficiency of administrative resources to serve eligible beneficiaries; 
and produce program savings for U.S. taxpayers.
  This bill continues the efforts begun in the bipartisan, bicameral 
Child and Family Services Extension and Enhancement Act of 2011, which 
was the first effort at requiring a human services program to implement 
standard data elements and reporting. President Obama signed that bill 
into law on September 30, 2011.
  The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, signed by 
the President in February 2012, applied similar data standards 
provisions to unemployment insurance and the Temporary Assistance for 
Needy Families program.
  This program-by-program approach has been useful, but the ultimate 
goal is to work across programs. The legislation being introduced today 
provides a path forward to cover additional programs under the 
jurisdiction of the Human Resources subcommittee, with the intention of 
moving to create a complete system of program information exchange.
  As a member of the Human Resources subcommittee I commend these 
efforts and recognize the data provisions enacted in P.L. 112-96 are 
designed to be a catalyst for continued action.
  Consistent with the bipartisan approach developed and maintained by 
former Subcommittee Chairman Geoff Davis and Ranking Member Lloyd 
Doggett, today I introduce this bill with the full support of the Human 
Resources Subcommittee, from both sides of the aisle.
  Improved data standards will help increase the efficiency of data 
exchanges to use and reuse data within and across programs. That will 
allow States to automate the exchange of claimant data on work and 
benefit receipt, reducing delays and minimizing improper payments. It 
will also help to automate application forms by pre-populating them 
with reliable and verified data, which can reduce the manual burden on 
staff and allow them more time to engage beneficiaries, all while 
reducing error.

[[Page E244]]

This efficiency will better serve program beneficiaries and taxpayers 
at the same time.
  I thank my colleagues for co-sponsoring this important legislation, 
starting with Mr. Doggett, the Ranking Member on the Human Resources 
Subcommittee, Mr. Reichert, Chairman of the Human Resources 
Subcommittee, as well as Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Dr. Boustany, Mr. Young 
of Indiana, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Renacci, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Paulsen and Mr. 
Danny Davis of Illinois.
  I invite all Members to join us in supporting this important 
legislation designed to improve the integrity of the benefit programs 
millions of Americans access today, and ensure that taxpayer funds are 
properly spent.

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