Posted on 05/19/2005 3:12:30 PM PDT by Conservative Goddess
Washington, May 11 - Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18), along with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI-1), unveiled H.R. 2234, the 21st Century Health Information Act, a bi-partisan bill which transforms healthcare by putting new information technology into the hands of doctors.
“As healthcare costs continue to rise at double digit rates each year, we must to change our approach,” Congressman Tim Murphy said. “The 21st Century Health Information Act gives doctors the tools they need to confidentially coordinate and communicate accurate healthcare records on their patients. It will save thousands of lives and billions of dollars by reducing medical errors, eliminate duplicate tests and procedures, and provide doctors with the latest medical information when they need it and where they need it.”
Electronic medical records allow patients’ medical history, tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), and treatments (such as films of surgery) to be stored and accessed in a secure, confidential manner. The technology alerts doctors for possible diagnosis and treatments, which help reduce errors and redundant tests. Electronic medical records also helps monitor if patients have missed an appointment or for recommend tests. More than $78 billion a year can be saved by implementing electronic medical records.
Electronic prescribing makes it easier for doctors to check for proper dosages, receive updated research on medication, be notified if the prescription is filled, and be alerted for possible adverse reactions with other drugs. More than $29 billion can be saved by adopting electronic prescribing.
“Even the brightest doctor with the best equipment is only as good as the as the accuracy of the information provided on the patient. The inefficient system we now have contributes to errors and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
“Incentives will be used to promote electronic medical records and electronic prescribing. As many hospitals move in this direction, the bill calls for guidelines to ensure technology works together so healthcare providers can effectively share patients’ records in a safe and secure manner,” Murphy continued.
“Today can be the beginning of the end of seeing hundreds of thousands of Americans die unnecessarily because our system isn't set up to deliver the safest, most effective care despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses,” Rep. Patrick Kennedy said.
“The 21st Century Health Information Act provides the right care, for the right people, in the right place, at the right time,” Murphy concluded. “Passing this legislation is a matter of urgency. The faster it becomes law, the more lives it will save.”
Representatives Tim Murphy (PA-18) and Patrick Kennedy (RI-1) are Co-Chairs of the Healthcare Caucus.
Section 3 (b)(1)(B) deals with privacy protections, and in relevant part says: "allow patients to exclude their health information from the health information network." But there is no statutory guarantee that payment cannot be withheld for refusal to participate. This appears to be a 'protection' with no teeth whatsoever.
Section 3, (b) (2) says: "UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE- In the event of the unauthorized access to or disclosure of individually identifiable patient health information by or through a health information network funded in whole or in part under this section, the operator of such network shall--
(A) report the conditions of such unauthorized access or disclosure to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary requires; and
(B) provide notice to any individuals whose patient health information may have been compromised in violation of this subsection as a result of such unauthorized access or disclosure."
Notice please, that the statute provides no remedy, and no private cause of action for any individual who is damaged by unauthorized access.
Section (f) says: "Prohibition- No funds under this section may be used for the establishment of a national database of individually identifiable patient health information."
That's all well and good, but.......
(g) Report by GAO- Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the Congress on the progress of the regional health information organizations in realizing the purposes of this Act, with particular attention to the following:
(1) The capacity to exchange health information between and among regional health information networks.
That's a defacto national database of health records.
Moreover, Section 8 provides:
"a) In General- The Secretary shall establish a methodology for making adjustments in payment amounts under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) made to providers of services and suppliers who furnish items or services for which payment is made under that title who--
(1) participate in a health information network accredited or provisionally accredited by the Secretary under section 3(e); and
(2) in the course of furnishing items and services for which payment may be made under such title, use health information technology with patient-specific applications that the Secretary determines improve the quality and accuracy of clinical decision-making (such as electronic medical records, electronic prescribing, and computerized physician order entry with clinical decision-support capabilities) .
I think this is a backdoor attempt to push Hellarycare on the nation. Once they have our medical records under control....and payment is adjusted to give incentives for providers to participate in the centralization of the records....we're done.
TEXAS privacy advocates....please contact Ron Paul. I did...but his office seemed less than enthusiastic about hearing from someone who wasn't a constituent.
Privacy Advocates PING!
Since when does the gov't do anything to contribute to efficiency and cost savings?
If we could get the government, trial lawyers, and insurance companies under control, US medical care might have a chance to return to better days for patients.
Personally, I loathe the fact that I HAVE to use Medicare for my health care. We don't really have a choice, because very few insurance companies wlll insure us "senior citizens" and the cost is so high that the ordinary citizen cannot afford it.
Doctors can no longer take a cash payment from a patient if they qualify for Medicare. Doing so would mean the forfieture of their ability to take any Medicare patients.
What a mess!
Will this be...ahem...Murphy's Law??
GOOD ONE! Yes,...I think it will be....Murphy's Law
Please contact your Congress Critter.....register your opposition. This is no place for Gobbermint intervention.
Excellent Point! NEVER!
Please contact your Congress Critter...ask them to oppose this legislation. Contact Murphy's office as well...couldnt' hurt!
Here it is.
This is HIPPA on steroids.
Here's where people are denied employment because any receptionist can be bribed to peak into someone's medical history.
Exactly. Employers and Life Insurance Companies will CLAMOR for access to this information.....and they'll get it....make no mistake.
Moreover.....a section of this bill seems to authorize different payment scales to participating providers....ie...incentivizing them to participate. This is Hellary care through the backdoor. WE'VE GOT TO STOP THIS!
You live with unrealistic expectations.
First of all, this won't pump up the IT sector back to 90s level, so foreget that pipe dream.
Second of all, if you think these won't be available online for connection, think again.
And thirdly, when they are available, how long will it be before people are blackmailed to prevent their medical information from being revealed to interested parties?
I was in HR. I know that people can get information if they want it. Trust me.
Murphy is MY local US Rep. He's done a pretty good job for our district as far as I can tell. He's a PhD psychologist and one of the few health care practitioners in Congress. I sure hope he knows what he's doing with this thing!
Well, I appreciate your perspective.....but I ask you if there isn't a BETTER way to utilize technology.....
Namely a smart card.....carried VOLUNTARILY by the individual....with all his/her medical information, maintained by his/her physician(s), PAID for by the patient.....with all the necessary billing information. Updated everytime a patient sees a physician...with a standard protocol.
No need to centralize the information. Billing problems solved....no potential, or limited potential for abuse.
Now isn't that truly a free-market, libertarian, technology based solution?
There is absolutely NO NEED to centralize this information. Centralized databases are notoriously misused, and inaccurate. Did you know that I've been trying for over 5 years to get the DC database that determines, or purports to determine, who my representative is....to correctly reflect...who my representative is? I live in the first house in the district...on the line....and I can't even get that SIMPLE piece of information corrected in a centralized GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED database. What makes you think a centralized, GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED database of detailed health information will ever be anything more than a boon-doggle? Simple...it will never be accurate....or safe.
The privately held smart card is the only way to effectively, safely, and securely utilize technology to simplify healthcare billing and records functions.
I wouldn't bet on it.
He's my rep too......only the government controlled database that is supposed to inform members of congres who is and who isn't their constituent insists that Melissa Hart is my rep.....too bad her name never appears on my ballot. I've tried in vain for over 5 years to get that correted..... No one seems to be able to tell me who to contact....or the proof needed. Voter registration? Real Estate Tax Bill? ...no one knows.....and this is but a simple government controlled database.
Tell me.....do we have any reason to believe that the government can ACCURATELY maintain a database with detailed health records? ....when they can't figure out who's district I'm in? Nuts....they'll never get it right......and the information will be misused and abused.
The mere thought of a government run database in charge of my health information scares the snot out of me. Insurance companies can't even keep our info straight, let alone some government monstrocity.
Sorry, should have copied you on this response......
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1406656/posts?page=15#15
I think we can use technology to streamline the function...without compromising confidentiality....and without, WITHOUT centralization. I agree with you....where there's a will to get information.....there's a way........and centralization of the information will be a smorgasboard for employers, and life insurance companies. They've got to be salivating at the prospect.
Exactly. That's why we, the vocal minority, have to get busy. The sheople are asleep...and they'll let this go without a peep.
Thanks....I agree, the FED's have no business meddling with this. This isn't even a Constitutionally authorized use of the public purse...yeah, since WHEN has that stopped them? Don't know how I missed responding to you earlier. Please contact your Congress critter...register your opposition. This is a terrible idea. Murphy is and ego maniac. He loves to be 'out in front' of an issue. The freight train needs to catch up to this one. He's tone deaf.....and Hillary loves this idea. That should tell you all you need to know......
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