Congressman Wynn Fights for the Poor and Uninsured

Congressman Wynn Fights for the Poor and Uninsured

Today, Congressman Wynn offered two amendments to HR. 4157, the Better Health Information System Act, designed to empower medically underserved communities. The act is designed to decrease paper-based files and move to a more efficient, digital file system. According to research, a paperless system would reduce the number of medical errors. Unfortunately, the measure provides little financial assistance to transition to a digital file system, thereby exacerbating healthcare disparities.

In response to flaws in the bill, Congressman Wynn sponsored an amendment to authorize the Health and Human Service Department to study the impact of health information technology on the quality of care and reducing healthcare costs in medically underserved communities. The amendment also directs the Health and Human Services Department to identify resources, such as funding and technical assistance, for healthcare providers in medically underserved communities to obtain information systems. The amendment passed on a voice vote.

"In contrast to for-profit hospitals, health providers in medically underserved communities lack the resources to make the financial investment in health information technology. By requiring hospitals to transition to a digital file system without providing financial assistance, we are simply widening the gap between the haves and the have nots," said Wynn.

Congressman Wynn also sponsored an amendment that would allow a safety-net hospital, such as the Prince George's County Hospital Center or a community health center to receive financial and technical assistance to obtain an information system. The amendment targets healthcare providers serving low-income, uninsured and medically underserved communities. Unfortunately, the amendment was defeated, by voice, along party lines.

http://wynn.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=11972