Gingrey Honored for Work in Health Information Technology

This week, as part of National Health Information Technology Week, Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA) was recognized as the 2008 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Advocacy Federal Leadership Award. Established in 2003, the HIMSS Advocacy Award recognizes current and former government officials who have made a significant contribution meriting national recognition to the healthcare information technology field.

“Health Information Technology is one of the most promising ways to tackle today’s problem of skyrocketing health care costs,” said Gingrey. “A correctly implemented and widely adopted interoperable HIT system would save the American health care system more than $160 billion dollars every year.”

“In addition to this immense cost savings, there are numerous other advantages that are just as compelling. We know HIT can reduce medical errors, save time and most importantly, save lives. Properly implemented HIT would enormously increase the efficiency within our health care system and has the potential to eliminate duplicate testing that rob patients of money and time and often cause patients to endure unnecessary pain and discomfort. Even more vital is the possibility of eliminating medical errors that that lead to almost 100,000 deaths every year.”

“Health information technology is and should continue to be a top priority in Washington. Reaching our full potential for HIT in the most efficient and effective way is essential to providing relief from increasing costs for the health care needs of hard-working American families.”

Dr. Gingrey has been a strong proponent of advancing the widespread use of Health IT and worked with Rep. Gonzalez (D-TX) to co-author the bi-partisan, H.R. 1952, the National Health Information Incentive Act of 2007.

Health IT Week allows public and private sector organizations with diverse perspectives on health care to gather in Washington, DC to work together under one banner with the goal of improving health care efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness and patient safety through health IT.

Previous award recipients have included Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and Founder of the Center for Health Transformation Newt Gingrich.