2007 Montana Legislature

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19

INTRODUCED BY GILLAN


A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EXCHANGE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EXCHANGE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

 

     WHEREAS, the rising cost of health care is the significant factor accounting for the decline in insurance coverage rates, and 60% of Americans are worried about the rising cost of health insurance; and

     WHEREAS, the average cost of health care for each individual in 2004 was $6,280, and the United States spent almost $1.9 trillion dollars, or 16% of its gross domestic product, on health care; and

     WHEREAS, according to a 2006 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with "the total cost of health care in this country" and 54% of Americans are dissatisfied with "the quality of health care in this country"; and

     WHEREAS, health information technology is the network infrastructure and health information exchange is the comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers; and

     WHEREAS, health information technology and health information exchange may slow the rising cost of health care by eliminating unnecessary or duplicate procedures, decreasing paperwork, and increasing administrative efficiencies; and

     WHEREAS, health information technology and health information exchange will allow health care providers to access relevant information about patients in a timely manner, thereby reducing medical errors, allowing for more accurate diagnoses, and bettering patient care; and

     WHEREAS, with health information technology and health information exchange capabilities, communities will be able to communicate and respond to local health emergencies more quickly and more efficiently; and

     WHEREAS, states that have used this technology report beneficial results that include but are not limited to a reduction in the number of patients who stopped taking medication prematurely, access to useful information in emergency room situations, increased adherence to guideline or protocol-based care, and increased ability to measure and improve performance.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

     (1) That the State of Montana support the development of secure and confidential health information technology and health information exchange for the safety and well-being of its residents.

     (2) That the State of Montana support the funding of a demonstration project in specific communities throughout the state as developed by the health information task force.

     (3) That the State of Montana recognize the critical and ongoing efforts of the health information task force and its steering committee.

- END -

 


Latest Version of SJ 19 (SJ0019.ENR)
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