HIMSS recommends changes to Kennedy e-Health bill - e-Health Legislation - Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society - Brief Article

Health Management Technology, Oct, 2002

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in August sent suggestions to improve the eHealth Care Act of 2002, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). The legislation, S.2638, would require more use of information technology, including e-prescribing systems at hospitals to help reduce medication errors and Internet-based claims processing by insurers.

HIMSS recommends requiring electronic exchange of claims transactions to reduce the inefficiency of paper-based systems. HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets Standards address how electronic exchange must occur, but they do not require electronic exchange. HIMSS also suggests that the act address privacy and confidentiality concerns raised by the increased amount of health information sent over the Internet that would occur if the law were enacted.