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"Divided We Fail" Commends Bipartisan Senate Leadership On Health IT Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – AARP, Business Roundtable and SEIU, which together represent more than 50 million Americans, today took another groundbreaking step for their "Divided We Fail" group by endorsing legislation that would help reduce medical errors and save lives and money by moving from a paper-based health care system to secure electronic medical records.

The "Wired for Health Care Quality Act," introduced by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and ranking minority member Michael B. Enzi (R-WY.), would spur adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology (HIT) system.

"Health IT is about bringing safety and efficiency to our health care system," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. "People seeking treatment have enough to worry about; if we can alleviate the fear that an error will occur, we need to try to do that. A secure, uniform, interoperable system that works for patients and providers will save time, stress and money."

"Health care costs are the number-one cost pressure facing American businesses today, inhibiting job creation and hurting America's ability to compete in global markets," said John J. Castellani, Business Roundtable President. "With a projected $165 billion in annual savings, a national health IT infrastructure can certainly help ameliorate this situation, putting affordable, quality health care within reach for Americans. We certainly hope the Senate will quickly pass this legislation and inspire their counterparts in the House to follow suit."

"With the involvement of frontline nurses and other caregivers, HIT holds the promise to improve patient safety, reduce administrative costs, and allow caregivers more time with patients," said SEIU President Andy Stern. "HIT can transform health care for the benefit of those who deliver it and those who need it."

The Divided We Fail members recently delivered endorsed principles for health IT legislation to Congress. At that time, the three groups urged lawmakers to address health IT immediately in order to increase safety and efficiency in the country's health care system. The coalition believes health IT is a critical building block for broader health care reform.

More information about the Divided We Fail efforts can be found at http://www.dividedwefail.org.

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