President Bush, in his recent
state of the union speech addressed the issue of health care, and mentioned the need for improved IT for managing records. "I ask Congress to move forward on a comprehensive health care agenda," said Bush, "with tax credits to help low-income workers buy insurance, a community health center in every poor county, improved information technology to prevent medical error and needless costs, association health plans for small businesses and their employees, expanded health savings accounts and medical liability reform that will reduce health care costs and make sure patients have the doctors and care they need."
"We're very pleased and supportive of this aspect of the president's domestic agenda, which is ultimately aimed at bringing about more affordable health care," said orthopedic surgeon Eric S. Fishman, M.D., the founder and president of EMRConsultant.com.
"President Bush has proposed to double the budget to $125 million for demonstration projects related to health information technology, which will save lives and help to reduce costs. It's noteworthy that the potential savings from widespread utilization of Electronic Medical Records solutions has been estimated at between 10 percent and 20 percent of the estimated $1.7 trillion in health care spending," said Fishman.
Replying to reporters at the Cleveland Clinic last week, the president stated in part, "... when you multiply the efficiencies to be gained, all across the spectrum, whether it be individual docs or hospitals or networks, that's why some predict that you can save 20 percent of the cost of health care as a result of the advent of information technology."
