Health Information Technology

Background

Computerized systems to store medical records, transmit prescriptions, provide clinical decision support, streamline insurance and provider information, and publish cost and quality data-- dubbed health information technology ("HIT")-- have not yet been adopted across the U.S.

The employer community supports HIT adoption because it would improve the quality of care employees receive, lower costs, reduce medical errors, improve smart shopping, and help patients and doctors to  make better medical decisions.

HIT adoption faces hurdles; in part due to a lack of normal, uniform standards that would allow systems to talk to each other; in part due to the costs of implementing systems and training personnel; and in part due to a lack of awareness on the part of providers, hospitals, patients, employers, and policymakers.

The U.S. Chamber is committed to promoting the adoption and use of HIT by educating stakeholders, advancing policy and legislation favorable to HIT, and working with the public and private sector to implement uniform standards.

U.S. Chamber Position

We support legislation that would:

• Foster the use of electronic prescribing in the public and private sector
• Codify the Office of the National Coordinator of HIT
• Provide funding and incentives to providers and hospitals that adopt HIT
• Protect patient privacy without creating onerous new burdens for employers

The Chamber has joined the Health IT Now Coalition to further advance the cause of HIT legislation. The Chamber also continues to hold events to inform policymakers, members, and other stakeholders about the benefits HIT could bring to the US health care system.