Remarks in a discussion at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, May 31, 2004

You can imagine what kind of system that will do. It will cut down the cost of paperwork. It will also cut down on medical errors, which, if you're going to be a patient, that's something you really hope happens. [Laughter] Sometimes information gets lost. Sometimes people inadvertently prescribe the wrong drug because the information isn't correct. And so the fundamental question is: How do we use technology; how do we modernize health care? That's what we're here to talk about. How do we, you know, do the same thing that is happening in other industries to health care? And we believe we can change how health care uses IT. And it starts with the Federal Government. Listen, the VA is doing a fabulous job with using information technology. This hospital is doing a fabulous job for using information technology, which we will talk about.

And so, one of the first things we're going to talk about is what can the Federal Government do to help. Now, we hired a guy name David Brailer. David's right here to my right. David's an expert on information technology and how it is applied to medicine and to health care. Tommy hired him, see--yes, he's got a pretty, good title, the National Health Information Technology Coordinator. [Laughter[The way I look at it, his job is to use the Federal Government's abilities and our Medicare law and our VA and other assets we have to spread this fantastic opportunity throughout America.

And I just want to say one other thing before I turn it over to David. Privacy is really an important part of, in my judgment, of an American system that works well. I don't want some people looking at my records. Of course, my line of work, everybody gets to look at my records. [Laughter] It's too late for me. [Laughter[It's not too late for you, and therefore, as you hear the idea of moving your information across the Internet, you've just got to know it's got to be with your permission. These are your records. It's your health, and you can decide whether or not people can use your records. This is important for people to understand that, that those of us in Government who talk about spreading information also, first and foremost, keep your privacy in mind.

Now with that, David is the Coordinator named on May the 6th. And here he is sitting with the President right here in Vanderbilt talking about his job. But David, tell us what you do, why you do it, and when you're going to finish it. [Laughter]

Dr. Brailer. What time is it?

The President. Yes, exactly.

Dr. Brailer. Well, thank you, Mr. President. And first, let me just say thank you from American medicine for your historic leadership in information technology.

The President. Thank you very much. Thanks.

[Dr. Brailer, National Health Information Technology Coordinator, Department of Health and Human Services, made brief remarks.]

The President. Good. Let me ask you a couple of questions. One of the interesting challenges--evidently the medical lingo varies. In other words, part of your challenge has been to standardize as well as develop a common vocabulary. Would you explain that so--obviously I can't. Would you explain it, please, so people can understand it better?