PRINTER'S NO. 1199
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
211
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY J. WARD, BLAKE, MASTRIANO, MARTIN, VOGEL,
BARTOLOTTA, FARNESE, IOVINO, DINNIMAN, ARGALL, BROWNE,
HUGHES, BREWSTER, MENSCH, PHILLIPS-HILL, AUMENT AND PITTMAN,
SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating September 24, 2019, as the day to commemorate
"United States National Health IT Week - September 23, 2019,
to September 27, 2019" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Supporters and members of the three Pennsylvania
Chapters of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Society (HIMSS), Western PA HIMSS, Central PA HIMSS and Delaware
Valley HIMSS:
(1) encourage support for improved access to care for
rural Pennsylvanians through the expanded use of telehealth
and greater broadband availability;
(2) support funding for workforce development programs
to help increase the health care and information technology
workforce in Pennsylvania; and
(3) support the adoption of policies that promote
interoperability standards which enable cooperation by all
provider communities in Pennsylvania;
and
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WHEREAS, Supporters and members of HIMSS leverage technology
to help provide:
(1) support for chronic diseases and behavior health
management;
(2) support of care with attention to the social
determinates of health;
(3) support for emergency response and disaster
preparedness; and
(4) support of public health;
and
WHEREAS, Ninety-two percent of eligible hospitals and 83% of
ambulatory health care providers in Pennsylvania have adopted
Certificated Electronic Health Records (Office of the National
Coordinator for Health IT); and
WHEREAS, Health care providers in this Commonwealth report an
improved ability to recruit physicians coming out of medical
school when advanced information technology is deployed at their
sites; and
WHEREAS, HIMSS is a global advisor and thought leader
supporting the transformation of health through information and
technology; and
WHEREAS, HIMSS offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise
in health innovation, public policy, workforce development,
research and analytics to advise global leaders, stakeholders
and influencers on best practices in health information and
technology; and
WHEREAS, HIMSS consists of more than 70,000 individuals and
600 corporate organizations as members; and
WHEREAS, HIMSS' vision is a world where everyone, everywhere,
has access to a health and wellness ecosystem that works, one
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with the human at its heart; and
WHEREAS, HIMSS' mission is to reform the global health
ecosystem by leveraging the power of information and technology,
and by creating an informed and empowered community of
providers, innovators and individuals, there will be an ever-
improving state of health and wellness throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Health information technology has led to improved
guideline adherence, better disease surveillance, reduction in
medication errors and adverse drug events; and
WHEREAS, Health information technology affords a reduction in
disparities in access to care and increasing patient-centered
care; and
WHEREAS, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology has outlined benefits of Health IT such
as improving access to health records, getting information
accurately into the hands of people who need it, improving the
coordination of care and reducing unnecessary tests and
procedures; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate September 24, 2019, as
the day to commemorate "United States National Health IT Week -
September 23, 2019, to September 27, 2019" in Pennsylvania; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of raising
awareness of health care information technology and the
advancement of health information exchange to help improve the
quality of care, save lives and reduce the cost of value-driven
health care for all Pennsylvanians; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate welcome members and supporters of
HIMSS to the State Capitol to promote better health care in this
Commonwealth through broader adoption of health care information
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technology and the advancement of health information exchange.
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