HIMSS mobilizes its members and other collaborators to successfully accomplish multiple levels of advocacy activities that are fueled by its members passion and experience. These activities include educating HIMSS members and Members of Congress and their staff on key issues to actually proposing and writing draft legislation. In addition, HIMSS works closely with key federal decision-makers and the House of Representatives' 21st Century Health Care Caucus to advance improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare.
Healthcare Reform Update
2009 is the year for healthcare reform in the United States.
Washington, D.C. (February 10, 2009) - The Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1 on a vote of 61-37. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 on Jan. 28. The Senate legislation crossed many hurdles this week as Senators agreed to a bi-partisan amendment sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ben Nelson (D-NB) that cut over $100 billion in initiatives from the legislation. Lawmakers had continually criticized the stimulus legislation for including initiatives that do not have a direct correlation with job growth during these struggling economic times.
The economic stimulus legislation, as passed by the Senate, totals approximately $838 billion in tax cuts, unemployment benefits, transportation and public works, and health IT. Specifically, the legislation includes over $19 billion for health IT: $3 billion for the Office of the National Coordinator and $16 billion for incentives through Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements systems to assist providers in adopting EHRs. The legislation also includes over $2 billion to support the use of broadband technologies, health IT within the Indian Health Services and Social Security Administration, and equipment for health centers. Additional information on H.R. 1, as agreed to by the Senate, click here to access.
Helpful Resources
Advocacy Liaisons
HIMSS mobilizes its members and other collaborators to successfully accomplish multiple levels of advocacy activities that are fueled by its members’ passion and experience. These activities include educating HIMSS members and Members of Congress and State Legislators and their staff on key issues to actually proposing and writing draft legislation. In addition, HIMSS works closely with key federal decision-makers and the House of Representatives' 21st Century Health Care Caucus to advance improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare.
Click here to read the HIMSS CALR 2008 year-end report.
HIMSS current Advocacy and Public Policy initiatives are designed to achieve:
- Improved clinical outcomes
- Measurable clinical outcomes
- Patient confidentiality
- Interoperable information systems
The HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable was established in 2003 to help build grassroots support at the Chapter level. Grassroots outreach is an essential part of an advocacy network. HIMSS seeks to establish strong, local advocacy networks that can be kept current as issues change. Chapters have identified advocacy leaders within their communities in an effort to educate and build "friends" among opinion leaders and lawmakers in their districts. Each HIMSS Chapter is eligible to have one or more Chapter Advocates.
HIMSS award-winning Advocacy and Public Policy team is composed of experienced and passionate members who lead and direct healthcare legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives. These efforts are designed to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of patient care through the application of information technology and management systems across the healthcare spectrum.
Chapter Advocacy Liaisons
- Organize visits and other avenues of frequent communication with state and federal elected officials.
- Speak to local media about key policy and advocacy issues.
- Attend HIMSS-sponsored advocacy training and message development sessions.
- Working with the HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable and/committee members to create an advocacy action plan specific to your community.
- Keeping members Chapter Board informed about campaign efforts.
- Recruit Chapter volunteers and other community leaders to join the campaign.
For more information or to become a Chapter Advocacy Liaison, please contact Tom Keefe, Senior Director, State Government Relations, at tkeefe@himss.org.
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HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Liaison Recognition Program
HIMSS congratulates all of the chapters that are participating in the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Recognition (CALR) Program. Click to learn more. |
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