[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 247--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16 THROUGH 
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013, AS ``NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WEEK'' 
TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN TRANSFORMING 
AND IMPROVING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES

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

                              S. Res. 247

       Whereas health information technology has been recognized 
     as an essential tool for improving patient care, ensuring 
     patient safety, stopping duplicative tests and paperwork, and 
     reducing healthcare costs;
       Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership 
     has estimated that the fully realized implementation of 
     national standards for interoperability and the exchange of 
     health information could produce significant savings in 
     healthcare costs;
       Whereas the use of health information technology enables 
     providers to utilize innovative tools to provide more 
     efficient, personalized, and better coordinated care, and 
     helps patients be more engaged in managing their own 
     treatment;
       Whereas Congress has made a commitment to realizing the 
     benefits of health information technology, including 
     supporting the adoption of electronic health records that 
     will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring 
     the privacy of patients;
       Whereas the adoption of electronic health records more than 
     doubled for physician practices and more than quadrupled for 
     hospitals between 2008 and 2012;
       Whereas it is necessary to continue improving the exchange 
     of health information confidently and securely between 
     different providers, systems, and insurers--a task that is 
     foundational to transforming the healthcare delivery system 
     of the United States;
       Whereas aligning the use of electronic health records with 
     other reporting efforts is critical to improving clinical 
     outcomes for patients, controlling costs, and expanding 
     access to care through the use of technology; 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 of September 16 through September 
     20, 2013, 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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