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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 562 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 562

  Designating the week beginning on September 10, 2012 and ending on 
 September 14, 2012 as ``National Health Information Technology Week'' 
 to recognize the value of health information technology in improving 
                            health quality.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 19, 2012

   Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating the week beginning on September 10, 2012 and ending on 
 September 14, 2012 as ``National Health Information Technology Week'' 
 to recognize the value of health information technology in improving 
                            health quality.

Whereas healthcare information technology and management systems have been 
        recognized as essential tools 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 
        implementation of national standards for interoperability and the 
        exchange of health information would save the United States 
        approximately $77,000,000,000 in expenses relating to healthcare each 
        year;
Whereas Congress has made a commitment to leveraging the benefits of healthcare 
        information technology and management systems, 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 ability to exchange health information confidently and securely 
        between different providers, systems, and insurers is critical to 
        transforming the healthcare delivery system of the United States to 
        improve clinical outcomes for patients, control costs, and expand access 
        to care through the use of technology;
Whereas Congress has made real-time health information exchange a priority and 
        an essential component of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health 
        Records Incentive Programs;
Whereas Congress has emphasized improving the quality and safety of delivery of 
        healthcare in the United States; 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 beginning on September 10, 2012 and 
        ending on September 14, 2012 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.
                                 <all>
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