We just learned hours ago that there will be a public hearing on SB579 which would implement an electronic medical records system in the state of Wisconsin. As of right now the bill is not even electronically available for the public to review!
You may have heard about the BILLIONS in federal dollars that were set aside last Feb in the “stimulus” bill that was passed last February. This will be the beginning of rationing health care in this state.
Obama Gives What the Doctor Did Not Order
Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan: Betsy McCaughey
Downgrading American Medical Care
This is the description from the author of the bill:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) includes $34 billion in incentive payments for private health care providers to purchase and implement electronic medical record systems. We estimate that health care providers in Wisconsin will be eligible for between $500 and $800 million in incentive payments for establishing electronic medical record systems. In order to capitalize on the funding available Wisconsin must first have a statewide health information exchange infrastructure that allows health care providers to share electronic patient data with each other, while protecting patient confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information. This legislation will create a private-public structure to implement and oversee the state-level health information exchange as a means of driving improved healthcare quality and efficiency. This organization will work in concert with existing health care providers but will not impose mandates or overrule their existing processes. The health information exchange refers to the process of electronic sharing of health-related information conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information. An HIE can improve health care coordination through the use of electronic health records (EHRs), provide key information to individuals to promote their health and wellness, and support research, public health, emergency response, and quality improvement. The federal funding that will come with the creation of the statewide HIE will benefit not only private sector health care providers in our state but Wisconsin based information technology vendors who serve hospitals and clinics across the nation.
1. Please consider testifying at the public hearing tomorrow. Details are below
2. If you cannot make it please contact the committee members to submit your written testimony and ask that it be part of the public record
3. Contact your legislators and let them know you oppose this bill
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Senate PUBLIC HEARING
Committee on Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 11:00 AM
300 Southeast, State Capitol
