IB

103D CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 421

Designating the week of November 6, 1994, through November 12, 1994,

‘‘National Health Information Management Week’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 30, 1994

Mr. MURPHY introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating the week of November 6, 1994, through November 12, 1994, ‘‘National Health Information Management Week’’.

Whereas accurate, timely, and complete medical records and

related health information play a vital role in planning

and providing quality health care for the citizens of the

United States, beginning at birth and continuing

throughout their lives;

Whereas there is an escalating public concern about the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care,

and, to provide public accountability, specific skills in

evaluating and reporting the results of that care are required;
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Whereas equitable third-party reimbursement for heath care

is dependent upon health information that is collected,

analyzed, classified, verified, and disseminated;

Whereas computer technology is changing the character of

health information, requiring proficiency in designing systems, controlling comprehensive databases, managing

computer networks and related technology while regulating access to the data, and maintaining the security and

confidentiality of individual patient information;

Whereas there is an increasing public awareness of patient

rights including the right of patients to access their own

medical information;

Whereas protecting the confidentiality of patient-identifiable

health data is an important consideration in the contemporary health care environment;

Whereas the health care industry’s needs, requirements, and

use of health information is changing rapidly, and the

rate of change will continue to escalate in the future as

new technology is utilized and new health care reform

policies are promulgated; and

Whereas the members of the American Health Information

Management Association are America’s health information leaders, with demonstrated commitment to and expertise in health information management, including balancing patients’ rights and confidentiality of health information with legitimate uses of data, serving as an advocate for the patients’ right to access their own records,

preserving the confidentiality and security of patient

data, valuing the quality of health information as evidenced by its integrity, accuracy, consistency, reliability,

and validity, valuing the quality of health information as
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evidenced by its impact on the quality of health care delivery, investigating and applying new technology to advance the management of health information, and developing the computer based-patient record: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That the week of November 6, 1994, through November

4 12, 1994, is designated ‘‘National Health Information

5 Management Week’’, and the President is authorized and

6 requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the citizens

7 of the United States to observe that week with appropriate

8 ceremonies and activities.

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