Health Information Technology

Technology has the potential to revolutionize the way heath care is delivered. McMorris Rodgers is proud that our region has become a leader in health care technology and innovation.

For rural underserved areas, information technology plays a crucial role in delivering quality health care and connecting rural and Critical Access Hospitals. The use of electronic medical records and telemedicine allows for the delivery of long-distance diagnosis and quality health care to rural areas.

For millions of people, the cost of health care is on the rise and now is the time to focus our efforts on new innovative technology that will help increase access to quality, affordable health care. It’s time that we begin using 21st century technology for 21st century health care.

McMorris Rodgers has joined with her colleagues and industry leaders in Eastern Washington to promote the use of innovative IT systems to better equip today’s health care professionals and to better serve Americans.

Health IT accomplishments

• Passed H.R. 4331, the Medicaid Access Project through Information Technology (MAP IT) in conjunction with Congressman Adam Smith, July 27th, 2006 as an amendment to a health IT bill.

Legislation Sponsored

109th Congress

H.R. 4331 Medicaid Access Project through Information Technology
A llows for the creation of a demonstration project that will provide a more effective system for managing chronic disease by using health information technology on disease management for the Medicaid population.

Legislation Co-Sponsored

H.R. 5118 Medicare Rural Health Provider Payment Extension Act of 2006
Requires the Secretary of HHS to create pilot projects that provide incentives for home health agencies to purchase and utilize home monitoring and communications technologies. These pilot projects must use technology to enhance health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries and reduce spending under the Medicare program.

H.R. 4641 Assisting Doctors to Obtain Proficient and Transmissible Health Information Technology (ADOPT HIT) Act
The Act incentivizes adoption of health IT by physicians and clinicians. It increases the tax deductions offered to healthcare providers who purchase an electronic health record system. The bill raises the first year immediate equipment deduction from $100,000 to $250,000. It also increases the maximum annual total of deductible property from $400,000 to $600,000.

Press Releases

• McMorris Rodgers, Smith Introduce Technology Bill to Improve Health Care Delivery and Lower Costs (April 25, 2007)
• Ferry County Public Hospital Receives USDA-Rural Development Grant (October 16, 2006)
• McMorris, Smith Pass Health IT Amendment to Reduce Costs and Improve Health Care (July 27, 2006)
• Efficient health care, savings via Internet (February 3, 2006)
• McMorris, Smith Introduce Demonstration Project to Improve Medicaid Access through Information Technology (November 15, 2005)
• McMorris Named to House Republican High-Tech Working Group and Announces 109th Congress Priorities (May 4, 2005)