(OVERLAND PARK) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) was joined by area health care professionals and patients on Tuesday to urge Congress to approve bipartisan legislation he introduced to help establish a nationwide health information technology network. Moore introduced the bill, the Independent Health Record Trust Act (H.R. 2991), with Rep. Paul Ryan (First District – Wisconsin).

Under the Independent Health Record Trust Act, individuals will have the option of submitting their medical records to be managed electronically by health record trusts. In turn, these trusts will ensure the security, confidentiality and privacy of the consumers’ sensitive medical information. In addition, patients will have ownership of their electronic record and can create multiple health entries so that, for example, their dermatologist does not see their mental health history.

“Health information technology has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of health care for all Americans by significantly reducing medical errors, reducing wasteful administrative costs, and ensuring that appropriate and accurate information is available for medical decisions,” said Congressman Moore. “This forward-looking plan would utilize market forces to drive the creation of a fully interoperable, nationwide HIT network.”

A RAND study found the use of electronic medical records could result in potential annual savings of $162 billion. By comparison, the cost of maintaining an electronic health record system is only $10 billion per year, resulting in over $150 billion in net savings.

Moore’s efforts have been applauded by a large coalition of health care and public policy organizations, including the Progressive Policy Institute and the Patient Safety Institute, as well as area representatives from the health care and software development industries, who joined him in calling on Congress to approve this important legislation.

“Saint Luke's Health System’s nationally recognized health information technology has been on the forefront of solutions that enhance patient safety, improve access to information for decision making, and provide care in under-served areas. We are supportive of health IT legislation like Congressman Moore's that strives to improve quality of health care for Americans,” said John Wade, Vice President for Saint Luke’s Health System.

“Our healthcare system is plagued by rising costs and declining quality of care,” continued Moore. “If we fail to act now, the situation will only get worse.”

Currently, H.R. 2991 has 49 cosponsors, including the entire Kansas House delegation, and is awaiting consideration by the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas introduced the Senate version during the last Congress and intends to introduce similar legislation soon in the Senate.