Statement Attributable to:
David C. Kibbe, M.D.
Director
Center for Health Information Technology
American Academy of Family Physicians
AAFP Statement: AAFP Backs Reps. Kennedy & Murphy's 21st Century Health Information Act to Transform Health Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Contact:
Leslie Champlin
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237, Ext. 5224
lchampli@aafp.org
This week, Reps. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Timothy Murphy (R-PA) introduced the first bipartisan legislation to dramatically increase the use of information technology (IT) to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care. The 21st Century Health Information Act will begin putting electronic health records in every doctor's hands and will ultimately save money and lives.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) wholeheartedly supports this critical and life-saving measure because it takes into account small and medium-sized practices that are essential for a successful interoperable system. For example, the bill includes the AAFP’s recommendation to provide a National Technical Assistance Center that will specialize in helping physicians in small practices acquire and use appropriate IT.
This bill also creates health IT grants that use regional health information organizations to support the development of a network of interconnected computer systems and a certification process for health IT products that will ensure interoperability. In addition, if the bill passes, it will remove the barriers preventing hospitals from sharing technology with local physicians and will permit Medicare and Medicaid to reimburse physicians for acquiring health IT and participating in health information networks.
If used properly, existing technology will allow doctors to streamline their record keeping, simplify billing and provide better patient care at the point of care. Health care IT offers the promise of better health outcomes for patients by flagging conflicting prescriptions, providing reminders to improve timely prevention and treatment and enhancing public health monitoring.
The AAFP is committed to improving the quality of life for all Americans, especially when it comes to health care. We applaud Reps. Kennedy and Murphy for having the foresight to begin this essential transformation and the AAFP encourages adoption of this measure. The time to act is now. We must begin this life-saving process.
The AAFP’s Center for Health Information Technology is dedicated to increasing the availability and use of low-cost, standards-based information technology among family physicians nationally and internationally through consultative, educational and outreach activities. The Center collaborates with government, industry and other professional organizations to apply health IT to improve patient care and safety and to increase the efficiency of health care delivery.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) wholeheartedly supports this critical and life-saving measure because it takes into account small and medium-sized practices that are essential for a successful interoperable system. For example, the bill includes the AAFP’s recommendation to provide a National Technical Assistance Center that will specialize in helping physicians in small practices acquire and use appropriate IT.
This bill also creates health IT grants that use regional health information organizations to support the development of a network of interconnected computer systems and a certification process for health IT products that will ensure interoperability. In addition, if the bill passes, it will remove the barriers preventing hospitals from sharing technology with local physicians and will permit Medicare and Medicaid to reimburse physicians for acquiring health IT and participating in health information networks.
If used properly, existing technology will allow doctors to streamline their record keeping, simplify billing and provide better patient care at the point of care. Health care IT offers the promise of better health outcomes for patients by flagging conflicting prescriptions, providing reminders to improve timely prevention and treatment and enhancing public health monitoring.
The AAFP is committed to improving the quality of life for all Americans, especially when it comes to health care. We applaud Reps. Kennedy and Murphy for having the foresight to begin this essential transformation and the AAFP encourages adoption of this measure. The time to act is now. We must begin this life-saving process.
The AAFP’s Center for Health Information Technology is dedicated to increasing the availability and use of low-cost, standards-based information technology among family physicians nationally and internationally through consultative, educational and outreach activities. The Center collaborates with government, industry and other professional organizations to apply health IT to improve patient care and safety and to increase the efficiency of health care delivery.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
Please visit www.centerforhit.org for more information on the Center for Health Information Technology.
