AHIMA Encouraged By House Committee Passage of Healthcare IT Bill

CHICAGO, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was released today by Linda L. Kloss, MA, RHIA, Chief Executive Officer, American Health Information Management Association:

"The American Health Information Management Association congratulates Rep. David Wu on his astute leadership and strong commitment to the issue of improving every aspect of healthcare information technology in America. In leading the overwhelming passage of H.R. 1467 by the House Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday, Rep. Wu has sent a clear signal that healthcare information technology is absolutely central to the overall quality of 21st century healthcare in America and that in order for Americans to enjoy the very best healthcare information technology, it is imperative that Congress lead the way in making a serious investment along the cutting edge of its future.

"At the same time we also extend a hand of gratitude to the American Medical Informatics Association for its organizational leadership on this critical issue. AMIA Chief Executive Officer, Don Detmer and his talented staff worked tirelessly -- but effectively -- alongside AHIMA in support of Rep. Wu's desire that his legislation retain the proper language and focus.

"H.R. 1467 exemplifies this sentiment by authorizing the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make unparalleled strides in advancing healthcare information technology research, training and education at every college level. If the full House accepts Rep. Wu's challenge and moves H.R. 1467 forward as presently written, then as early as next year NSF will have the authority to award research grants for innovative approaches to enhancing healthcare informatics and support multidisciplinary health and medical informatics research centers wherein top qualified healthcare informatics personnel and professionals will conduct research and gain the best training.

"Furthermore, H.R. 1467 will allow the NSF to create a grant program aimed at improving healthcare informatics programs at the undergraduate, masters and certificate levels while also giving it the authority to support improved healthcare informatics education and technical training through a nationwide junior college program. Without doubt, H.R. 1467 represents the House's most aggressive and formidable stride forward in support of healthcare informatics and -- if passed into law -- will serve the advancement of our nation's commitment to healthcare informatics in a way previously unrealized.

"The American Health Information Management Association encourages the full House to follow the wisdom of its Committee on Science and Technology while at the same time providing encouragement to the U.S. Senate for Congress to be unrelenting in its support for the future of healthcare information technology as well as the future strength of American healthcare."