The launch of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) 2008 presidential campaign could help progress health IT reform and distinguish her from other Democratic presidential contenders, Technology Daily reports.
Clinton in early 2007 will reintroduce health IT legislation in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which she is a member, according to her office. The bill would establish standards, quality measures and authorize grants to develop a nationwide health information network, which will securely share clinical data among physicians, hospitals, insurers and patients.
Scott Wallace, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Health IT, said Clinton understands health IT, has a broader, more intelligent clinical IT strategy and likely will "dramatically raise the profile of the issue" during her presidential campaign.
Clinton nearly three years ago spoke out about health IT to improve medical safety and make medicine more efficient and effective, Wallace added.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) last week said Clinton has "a very real interest" in promptly passing current health IT bills, including the legislation she sponsors. However, he said that Congress is expected to deal with other health care changes before health IT (Sternstein, Technology Daily, 1/23).