Health Information Technology Legislation to Be Unveiled This Summer
by HELP Chairman Gregg

WASHINGTON – April 27, 2004 – Sen. Judd Gregg, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), today announced he will introduce legislation promoting use of health information technology (HIT).

The proposal will closely track ideas outlined today by President Bush.

Health information technology can do everything from counting out pills to alerting doctors if a newly prescribed medication conflicts with a patient's existing prescriptions. However, such systems often employ inconsistent terminology and incompatible networks. They can also be costly.

"The best way to improve quality and reduce costs in healthcare is through the use of health information technology," Gregg said. "We need to enhance federal leadership, implement necessary information standards, clear away barriers to adoption of technology and provide needed incentives to health care providers.

"I applaud President Bush for providing leadership and drawing attention to this important component of our nation’s healthcare system. These efforts appropriately rely on the private sector, with federal help, to transform our healthcare system while improving quality and efficiency."

Gregg added, "This stands in sharp contrast to plans that would divert hundreds of billions of dollars away from needed healthcare to construct a nationwide electronic medical record, while placing job-killing unfunded mandates on businesses just as the economy is turning around."

Gregg's bipartisan effort will include provisions to:

• Ensure that information technology can be shared efficiently and effectively between health institutions by developing standard terminology and bridging network differences through the leadership of a single coordinator of information technology.
  
• Clear regulatory barriers that prevent the efficient use and dissemination of information technology.
  
• Provide critical resources for high-need communities and rural and underserved areas to help all Americans gain access to this technology.

Gregg plans to introduce a bipartisan bill in the coming month for HELP Committee consideration.