WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 20, 2008) – The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a membership society of more than 20,000 healthcare IT and management systems professionals, and over 350 corporations, applauds the nomination of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HIMSS believes Senator Daschle understands critical healthcare issues and how IT can be leveraged to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care.
The Society will work closely with the Secretary-designate on securing additional funding for healthcare information technology as well as continuing current initiatives such as the Office of the National Coordinator, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, the Health Information Technology Standards Panel, the newly established AHIC Successor organization, and undertaking new healthcare reform initiatives that recognize the need of information technology and management systems to transform healthcare for all.
Sen. Daschle’s book, “Critical: What We Can Do About The Health-Care Crisis” is an indicator of his commitment to healthcare and health IT. He states, ‘The latest information technology, structured to safeguard patient’s privacy, has the potential to dramatically cut costs and improve health-care quality. The ability to consult a patient’s full medical history online would make it easier for doctors to deliver the most appropriate care. Public health officials could use the database to detect trends, and to determine the value of different treatments for specific kinds of patients.’
HIMSS leaders and members look forward to working with President-Elect Obama, Secretary-designate Daschle, Congress, and all stakeholders to transform healthcare through health IT.
About HIMSS
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore, and other locations across the world, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 350 corporate members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to ensuring quality patient care.
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