WASHINGTON WIRE

In this issue, you'll find:

• House Subcommittee Moves Health IT Bill
• Committee Examines Flu Preparedness
• Group Presses for Stem Cell Legislation in Senate
• Congress in Recess May 29 - June 5, 2006

Top Story

House Subcommittee Moves Health IT Bill

On Wednesday, May 24, 2006, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health approved along party lines H.R. 4157, a controversial health information technology (HIT) bill.

Sponsored by Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Nathan Deal (R-GA), the legislation would confirm the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), set up a body to establish interoperability standards, and implement, by October 2009, a new set of 120,000 diagnosis codes to be used by hospital and physicians.

Health information technology is an important component of the Bush Administration's healthcare agenda and the President has publicly promoted the adoption of electronic medical records and e-prescribing tools. However, the House legislation is being heavily criticized by Democrats and outside organizations who fear the bill does not go far enough in protecting patient privacy.

Many groups tied such privacy concerns to the security breach this week involving the Department of Veterans Affairs where a computer was stolen from the home of a VA official which contained electronic, personal information on 26 million veterans. Stakeholders fear that electronic health records could be easily accessed, duplicated, and used for inappropriate purposes.

Some groups are also expressing concern that the coding requirements and timeline in the House HIT bill may overburden providers. Insurers would like to see the implementation date extended until at least 2012.

The Senate passed significantly different HIT legislation late last year. The House legislation now moves to the full Ways and Means Committee for debate.

Health Care News

Committee Examines Flu Preparedness

The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on Thursday to examine the potential impact of and preparation for a pandemic flu. Committee Chairman Gordon Smith (R-OR) commended the efforts of the Administration to put forth a framework for pandemic flu preparedness, but emphasized the need for further research and planning.

A representative from the American Hospital Association testified that it would likely cost an initial $5 billion to prepare general, acute care hospitals for a pandemic flu and an additional $1 billion total or $200,000 per hospital annually. The witness estimated that an average hospital would spend about $1 million initially which includes approximately $200,000 to develop a specific pandemic plan, $160,000 for staff education and training; $400,000 to stockpile minimal personal protective equipment, and $240,000 to stockpile supplies.

Although the Bush Administration's pandemic flu preparation plan asks for $7 billion over the next several years, none of the funding is directed specifically to hospitals.

In related news, on Thursday, Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH) and Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), along with 73 other Representatives, wrote to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao stating concern over the lack of adequate planning and preparation for protecting public health workers in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak.

Group Presses for Stem Cell Legislation in Senate

The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) held an event this week to mark the one-year anniversary of passage of an embryonic stem cell bill in the House and urge the Senate to pass identical legislation.

Dissenting from the Administration's position last year, Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist (R-TN) announced his support for increased funding for embryonic stem cell research and stated he would bring the House stem cell bill to the Senate floor for debate.

Attendees of the CAMR event urged the Senate Majority Leader to swiftly act on his pledge and Frist stated on Wednesday that he would bring the bill to the floor this summer. It is widely thought that the legislation has the 60 votes necessary for passage in the Senate.

Upcoming Events

Congress in Recess May 29 - June 5, 2006

For More Information

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