State Officials Laud HIMSS-Sponsored State Chapter Advocacy Days
HIMSS VA Chapter members were invited to sit in the seat of State Senator Yvonne Miller (center). Also pictured are (l-r): Helen Volger, Kevin Ragin, HIMSS VA Chapter President Scott Bateman, and Mike Sanders.
HIMSS members from across the states of Virginia and Oregon walked the halls of their respective state capitals on January 18 to advance healthcare IT among their elected state officials. The inaugural State Chapter Advocacy Days, sponsored by the Virginia, National Capital Area (NCA), and Oregon HIMSS Chapters were consistently praised by state legislators who asked HIMSS to continue educating and informing politicians and the community about transforming healthcare using information technology.
More than 60 members attending Virginia’s Advocacy Day visited at least half of the state legislature in Richmond. Meanwhile, HIMSS Oregon members gathered in Salem for a series of meetings with their elected officials. “Our group increased awareness among key legislators and their staff and established HIMSS Oregon chapter as a valuable resource for informing health IT policy legislation,” said Advocacy Chair Rick Howard. “In so doing, we've taken the first step to ensure that HIMSS Oregon effectively connects the healthcare IT expertise of our membership with our state's elected officials as they seek to accomplish healthcare delivery transformation.
While privacy and security are issues in both states, overwhelmingly members reported their state legislators wanted more information on HIMSS and healthcare IT. “However, by leveraging the strength of our chapters, state Advocacy Days are the type of grassroots mobilization we need to transform healthcare at the state and local level,” HIMSS Executive Vice President Carla Smith told attendees at Virginia’s 1st Annual Advocacy Day. “We’re going to provide the essential resources for you here in the state to advocate for transforming our industry. Washington, D.C. is important in the policy equation, but we must never forget that all politics is local.
Noting the importance of healthcare IT to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra said President Bush is looking to states to take the lead. “Large independent practices know the ROI is there. They need to step up to the plate. We need to showcase the practices that are doing it. It would be wonderful to partner with HIMSS to tell that story.”
There has been no innovation in medical records since the 1970’s, Delegate John O’Bannon told the Virginia advocates. “At least now we know where the weak spots are. We need to push the smaller hospitals and physicians offices. That’s where you guys come in. You know your business better than anyone around here so we need you.”
HIMSS member presence in the state capital and in district offices was also reinforced with legislative and spokesperson training as well as a debriefing session. Virginia Secretary Chopra also encouraged HIMSS members to support the Kaine budget amendment that allocates $16 million for healthcare IT, to ask delegates to continue the dialogue in their local communities, and to sponsor community forums with elected officials. “No state has a strategy to drive EHR adoption,” he explained. “We must extend the debate to a broader arena. In Virginia, we’re offering that vehicle and (HIMSS Senior Vice President) Greg Walton is a big part of why it’s happening here in Virginia today.”
The day was a wonderful opportunity for many of us to step outside of our normal working mode and share with our state delegates and senators the importance of understanding Healthcare IT, Virginia Chapter Advocacy Liaison Representative Cathryn Stam, PMP, FHIMSS noted. “Just knowing that we can help to support these initiatives that will help all Virginians is very exciting!