I completed reading the HIMSS Report, entitled A Call for Action: Enabling Healthcare Reform Using Information Technology, that recommends actions to the new Congress and the incoming Administration. I think it is a fine document and I recommend everyone read it in detail (www.himss.org/2009calltoaction).
The reason why I am a fan is because the report sets the right balance of government intervention with private sector initiative. After reading the Stark Bill (HR 6898 Health-e Information Technology Act), the Baucus Plan, Secretary-designate Daschle’s Proposals as well as the Bailout frenzy, it is nice to see reliance on the private sector in Health IT.
I believe private sector leadership is the only way to make Health IT implementation truly sustainable. Actually, the report builds on HR6357, the Pro(Tech)T Act. This bill basically codified the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) and the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN). Now, in its fifth year, the NHIN has proved to be capturing best practices in Health Information Exchange implementation.
The report recommends the following:
· Invest a minimum of $25 billion in health IT
· Apply recognized standards and certified health IT products among all
federally funded health programs
· Expand Stark Exemptions and Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors for EMRs
· Codify HITSP as the National Standards Harmonization Body
· Codify a Senior Level Health IT Leader within the Administration
· Authorize a Federal Advisory and Coordinating Body for Health IT
· Conduct a White House Summit on Healthcare Reform through
Information Technology
Also, includes in the report was the idea of Health IT Zones. I am assuming that these are similar to HUB zones that encourage business development in low-income areas. Instead, Health IT Zones encourage the use of Health IT in designated areas. I think this could be applied to areas that currently have federal community health centers. In NJ, hospital closings have been an issue. Perhaps, to replace hospitals, Health IT zones could be established.
This report has a great deal of potential. I hope Congress and President-elect Obama take the recommendations seriously.
