U.S. Chamber Offers Plan to Modernize Health Care

U.S. Chamber Offers Plan to Modernize Health Care

"VoteForBusiness Bandwagon" Highlights Reducing Costs and Saving Lives

WASHINGTON, D.C.–-Executives aboard the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "VoteForBusiness Bandwagon" rolled into North Las Vegas today to discuss dramatically reducing the nation's health care costs by implementing health information technology.

"We need a health care system that unites providers, facilities, and patients—and makes information available to support efficient, collaborative care," said James Gelfand, the U.S. Chamber's senior manager of health policy, in a speech to the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and North Vista Hospital. "Congress has the power to modernize America's health care system by implementing a nationwide health IT plan."

Gelfand's speech was part of the "VoteForBusiness Bandwagon," which launched in Atlanta on August 8 and will cross 32 states and cover over 8,000 miles before reaching both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. This was the bandwagon's first stop in Nevada.

"Across the country, we're spreading the word that by using computers, every other sector of the economy is saving money, operating more efficiently, providing better service, and improving quality," he said. "It's time for the health care system to move into the 21st century and achieve these same improvements."

A study by Florida State University found that patients are more likely to have better health outcomes if they are treated at hospitals using health IT systems. Health IT is also essential to improving quality of care by reducing litigation and costly medical errors. For example, electronic prescribing could benefit the 1.5 million Americans who are sickened, injured, or killed each year by errors in prescribing, dispensing, and taking medications.

"The bottom line is that by implementing health IT we can save money, reduce medical errors, connect patients and providers, and cut back on frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits that contribute to huge spikes in health care costs," Gelfand said. "These costs can be reduced and we're raising the voice of the business community to make that a reality."

For more information regarding the "VoteForBusiness Bandwagon" please visit www.voteforbusiness.com

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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