OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Health Information Technology Promotion Act of 2006

Date: July 28, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care


HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 28, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. RON KIND OF WISCONSIN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2006

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4157) to amend the Social Security Act to encourage the dissemination, security, confidentiality, and usefulness of health information technology;

* Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I rise in appreciation that House Leadership has at last brought a health information technology bill to the floor. As a cochair of the New Democrat Coalition, I have been a long-time supporter of health IT. I believe health IT, if done correctly, will highlight the need for personal accountability in health care, advance technological innovation, promote fiscal responsibility and, most importantly, improve health and save lives. Additionally, great strides can be made in homeland security as well as tracking disease and infection.

* I am pleased that H.R. 4157 will codify in law the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and that the coordinator will be tasked with devising a national strategic plan for implementing health IT. Additionally, the grant money authorized by the bill is a worthwhile, if small, step in the right direction. Representing western Wisconsin, I know too well how difficult it is for small medical practices to afford the purchase and upkeep of software and hardware needed for electronic medical records. The $5 million in grants to rural or underserved urban areas is the first of many such grants Congress must facilitate.

* While I am pleased the bill is moving forward, I am disappointed that negotiations were not done in a more bipartisan manner. It is good to see that harmful and invasive policies on privacy issues were removed from the bill, and I am hopeful that when the House and Senate meet in conference, members will take a hard look at strengthening further the bill's privacy provisions.

* Mr. Chairman, I plan on voting for this health IT bill and look forward to working with the Senate on improving it. America's doctors, nurses, and patients deserve 21st century technology in the health care system, and it is past time for Congress to be acting on this issue.

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