In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama detailing his priorities for an economic stimulus package, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) calls for funding for state health IT initiatives, Health Data Management reports.
He writes, "Long-term cost cutting measures, such as the use of electronic medical records, can help stimulate the health care economy while providing important groundwork for a larger health care economy while providing important groundwork for a larger health care proposal in the near future."
Leahy adds, "Federal funding to help states implement health information technology improvements will encourage needed modernization to health records and provide states the means to promote innovations in this area."
According to Leahy, Vermont has made progress in advancing health IT statewide to boost patient care and curb costs. He writes, "Vermont's program could be expanded quickly with additional federal funding, creating more jobs, and further improving patient outcomes."
In his letter, Leahy also expressed support for federal funding to expand broadband Internet connectivity to rural areas (Health Data Management, 12/22).
Leahy's letter is available online (.pdf).