More than 400 advocates from 48 states turned out for HIMSS 5th Annual Advocacy Day on June 6 in Washington, DC. Armed with professional legislative strategy training from author and grassroots consultant Christopher Kush, the advocates completed morning education sessions and trekked to Capitol Hill in the afternoon to complete 246 visits with their members of Congress.
“This was the largest turnout we’ve ever had for Advocacy Day,” said HIMSS Vice President of Government Relations Dave Roberts. “It couldn’t have happened at a better time. We have several healthcare IT bills pending in Congress and the House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a major healthcare bill that can be reconciled with Senate legislation before the end of the month. This is an exciting time for HIMSS, our advocates, and the healthcare IT industry.”
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), who delivered the keynote address, also announced plans to introduce healthcare IT legislation. “Today I’m going to introduce the Independent Health Record Bank Act of 2006 so that individuals like the previous speaker (Robin Raiford) and her family won’t have to suffer at the expense of a failing healthcare system. This bill is a market-driven approach. We need to set up a system for individual medical records. It would be your medical record.”
The education sessions addressed issues such as personal health records, underserved communities, health trends, and value based purchasing and Stark reform. While on Capitol Hill, the advocates also participated in presentations and technology demonstrations sponsored by the Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics. Another event milestone was the 21 organizations who joined HIMSS to sponsor Advocacy Day.
Following the Capitol Hill meetings, June Lowe, vice chair of HIMSS Board of Directors, presented the 2006 Advocacy Awards to Maryland Delegate Shane Pendergrass and Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality during the Networking Reception in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer.
