Senator Alexander Releases Legislation to Advance Health IT

Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair of the Senate HELP committee, released draft legislation to strengthen the nation’s information technology (IT) infrastructure, particularly in regards to electronic health records (EHR).  The bill, which is also supported by Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), would:

• Reduce federal documentation requirements on health care providers;
• Establish a rating system for healthcare professionals to assess IT products;
• Develop a common framework for providers to exchange health information across existing networks; and
• Promote the development of patient-centered portals so that they can securely access their health information.

Laboratory test results are a key component of the modernized health IT structure, providing clinicians with invaluable information for diagnosing and monitoring patient care and permitting the government and other insurers to evaluate the performance of health systems.  Given the importance of health IT, it is one of the items previously included in the innovation package that will move forward separately.