S.Res. 247 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 247 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 19, 2013Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Thune) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of September 16 through September 20, 2013, as National Health Information Technology Week to recognize the value of health information technology in transforming and improving the healthcare system for all people in the United States. Whereas health information technology has been recognized as an essential tool 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 fully realized implementation of national standards for interoperability and the exchange of health information could produce significant savings in healthcare costs; Whereas the use of health information technology enables providers to utilize innovative tools to provide more efficient, personalized, and better coordinated care, and helps patients be more engaged in managing their own treatment; Whereas Congress has made a commitment to realizing the benefits of health information technology, 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 adoption of electronic health records more than doubled for physician practices and more than quadrupled for hospitals between 2008 and 2012; Whereas it is necessary to continue improving the exchange of health information confidently and securely between different providers, systems, and insurers—a task that is foundational to transforming the healthcare delivery system of the United States; Whereas aligning the use of electronic health records with other reporting efforts is critical to improving clinical outcomes for patients, controlling costs, and expanding access to care through the use of technology; 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 That the Senate— (1) designates the week of September 16 through September 20, 2013, 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.