HIMSS Advocacy Day is an annual gathering of HIMSS members in Washington, DC. The purpose of the day is to advance the best use of healthcare information technology to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare. Participants connect with federal and congressional healthcare policy makers in a half-day discussion on current issues before traveling to Capitol Hill to engage with Members of Congress and staff on HIMSS Advocacy Agenda. The events are capped off with a Solutions Showcase and Networking Reception on Capitol Hill where the Advocacy Award winner is announced.
For many participants, Advocacy Day is the beginning of a journey to a place where healthcare becomes safer and more efficient through the effective use of healthcare IT and management systems. We are blessed to live in a time and place where there is consistent support from the White House, members of Congress, state capitals, and state legislatures to transform healthcare.
For three consecutive years, President Bush has recognized the need to expand the use of healthcare IT to lower costs, reduce medical errors, and improve quality of care. There are more than 40 healthcare IT bills pending in Congress, and a hundred or more in state legislatures, while several governors have formed healthcare IT boards and task forces.
HIMSS members, leaders, and staff dreamed of this time and place in 2000, when the organization began to publicly advocate for change to advance the best use of information and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Our mission is to lead change in the healthcare information and management systems field through knowledge sharing, advocacy, collaboration, innovation and community affiliations.
Our role is to lead that change. The time for action is now. With leadership from President Bush and Congress, healthcare IT is gaining the momentum necessary to improve quality and access to healthcare. Moreover, our nation has only four “czars” that work for the President on key national issues.
HIMSS advocates have the knowledge, expertise, experience, and skills to lead the journey to a healthier, more efficient system of healthcare for America and the world. You are the industry’s voice on Capitol Hill, in your state capitals and legislatures, and for your city and/or county councils.