Governors Are Right to Push for Electronic Medical Records

When the nation's governor met in Washington, D.C., earlier this week, they called upon Congress to expedite passage of legislation to establish a federal foundation for a nationwide electronic system supporting patients and health care professionals. The network would replace paper-based records with a secure system that could prevent as many as 98,000 deaths each year and virtually eliminate most medical errors.

AWB, along with its national counterparts the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, support electronic medical records and implementing new secure electronic advancements in medical record keeping and sharing.

According to West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D), who spoke for a group of governors, the minimum estimated savings is $81 billion a year and $23 billion in Medicaid spending alone. 

Former Michigan Gov. John Engler, now NAM president, added Health IT would also create more convenient communication, and faster, more secure access to medical histories, test results and other critical information.

Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), authors of HR 3800 to promote Health IT, are expected to release a letter urging the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to take up and approve their bill for consideration by the full House.

"Health Information Technology will help streamline medical recordkeeping and improve access to quality health care by reducing paperwork and making communication faster and more accurate," Rogers said. "Our goal is to save lives by giving doctors and specialists easier and quicker access to lab and test results, ensuring that patient diagnosis and treatment can be given sooner and with more accuracy."

In eastern Washington, medical provides have a sophisticated electronic medical link.  AWB President Don Brunell's column earlier this year addressed this topic and on May 22, Rich Umbdenstock, president of the American Hospital Association (AHA) will address AWB's spring meeting in Spokane on health care and Health IT.

Don Brunell, President, AWB