WASHINGTON – It’s just a month or so into 2009, and healthcare IT is already gaining traction in Congress. Championed by President Obama, a host of legislation now up for consideration has healthcare IT leaders hopeful for big changes ahead.

In January, Congress introduced six separate pieces of legislation expected to have a positive impact on healthcare IT. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society leaders say the proposals “largely align” with positions HIMSS has taken on financial incentives for healthcare IT adoption, standards harmonization and certification of healthcare IT products.

The $825 billion economic stimulus package includes $20 billion for healthcare, which includes $2 billion for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The House Appropriations bill would also ensure the future of products certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, by requiring the appropriated funds only be spent on CCHIT-certified products. The Senate has yet to take up the stimulus package but key leaders expect to have a final bill passed for the president to sign before Feb. 16.
Justin Barnes, chairman of the Electronic Health Records Association, said he is optimistic about these latest developments. Tying the funding to certified products is a “tremendous win” for the industry, should this aspect of the draft become law, he said.

According to House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), healthcare IT funding included in the stimulus package will be used to establish standards, payment incentives and privacy protections to encourage the widespread adoption of healthcare IT.

In addition to economic stimulus legislation, the House passed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act – and the Senate Finance Committee is considering – calling for $25 million for use of healthcare IT to improve children’s health.

Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) has reintroduced workforce legislation calling for $100 million to train Americans to enter the health IT profession.

Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have also reintroduced their $4 billion Health Information Technology Act of 2009 that would provide grants to help providers in rural areas who provide a high percentage of Medicare and Medicaid servicesto purchase healthcare IT.