[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57617-57618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23924]



[[Page 57615]]

Vol. 76

Thursday,

No. 179

September 15, 2011

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8711--National Health Information Technology Week, 2011
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8711 of September 12, 2011

                
National Health Information Technology Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Technological advances have always driven America's 
                economy forward and improved the lives of our people, 
                from the industrial innovations of the nineteenth 
                century to today's cutting-edge science. Progress in 
                our Nation's health care system is no different, and 
                hinges on the work of hospitals, private practices, and 
                information specialists as they modernize our health 
                information systems. During National Health Information 
                Technology Week, we highlight the critical importance 
                of secure and efficient information systems to 
                improving the delivery of health care in the United 
                States.

                Health information technology connects doctors and 
                patients to more complete and accurate health records. 
                Tools like electronic health records and electronic 
                prescriptions help patients and providers make safer, 
                smarter decisions about health care. This technology is 
                critical to improving patient care, enabling 
                coordination between providers and patients, reducing 
                the risk of dangerous drug interactions, and helping 
                patients access prevention and disease management 
                services. It is currently being used with great success 
                to coordinate and improve care for members of our Armed 
                Forces, as well as our Nation's veterans. Better 
                technology can also cut costs for providers by reducing 
                paperwork and duplicative tests.

                Ensuring the security of health information records is 
                a top priority for my Administration. The American 
                Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed in 2009, promotes 
                the use of Health IT while significantly strengthening 
                Federal laws protecting patient privacy. Entities 
                violating privacy laws are now subject to increased 
                penalties. The Recovery Act also provides landmark 
                financial incentives to eligible professionals and 
                hospitals that adopt and meaningfully use electronic 
                health records while protecting the privacy and 
                security of health information.

                Everyone can play a role in improving our health care 
                system. An important part of this vision is recognizing 
                the pivotal role patients play in maintaining and 
                improving their own health. Patients can work with 
                their doctors to access information about their care. 
                And those who design and implement Health IT systems 
                can enable software that puts patients and their 
                families at the center of their own care, empowering 
                and engaging them in reaching their health goals.

                America is home to the world's best universities and 
                technical schools, and the most creative scientists and 
                entrepreneurs. As we challenge ourselves to push 
                forward into a new century of health technology, we 
                will continue to foster and promote the innovative 
                spirit that has made our country what it is today.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 11 through 
                September 17, 2011, as National Health Information 
                Technology Week. I urge all Americans to learn more 
                about the benefits of Health IT by visiting 
                HealthIT.gov, take action to increase adoption and 
                meaningful use of Health

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                IT, and utilize the information Health IT provides to 
                improve the quality, safety, and cost effectiveness of 
                health care in the United States.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-23924
Filed 9-14-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P