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Business Roundtable Applauds Bipartisan Senate Leadership on Health IT Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Business Roundtable, an association of 160 chief executive officers whose companies represent more than 10 million employees and provide health care for more than 35 million Americans, today commended Senate HELP Committee Chairman Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), ranking minority member Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.), Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R–Utah) for introducing the "Wired for Health Care Quality Act," which would spur adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology (IT) system.

"We applaud Senators Kennedy, Enzi, Clinton and Hatch for advancing this critical piece of legislation. Health IT has the potential to transform the American health care system by reducing medical errors and introducing critical efficiencies," said John J. Castellani, president of Business Roundtable. "In so doing, it will not only help save countless lives, but also offer tremendous savings to individuals, businesses and government."

"Health care costs are the number-one cost pressure facing American businesses today, inhibiting job creation and hurting America's ability to compete in global markets," Castellani continued. "With a projected $165 billion in annual savings, a national health IT infrastructure can certainly help improve this situation, putting affordable, quality health care within reach for Americans. We certainly hope the Senate will quickly pass this legislation and inspire their counterparts in the House to follow suit."

The act would also improve health care quality and efficiency by bringing patients the performance data necessary to make educated decisions about their care.

"Every American has a role to play in improving our health care system by understanding, choosing and managing their own health care needs," noted Castellani. "This legislation will provide individuals with the vital information they need to do just that."

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