MEDITECH Attends National Health I.T. Week and Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
(6/01/2007)

MEDITECH staff had the chance to network with a number of industry stakeholders in DC last month, for National Health I.T. Week and HIMSS Advocacy Day. This special week gave health care and I.T. organizations the opportunity to connect with federal and congressional health care policymakers on current industry issues, while HIMSS Advocacy Day celebrated the cause of advancing health care I.T. to improve the quality and affordability of health care. MEDITECHers Barbara Hobbs, manager of EHR initiatives, and Kathie Hemingway, director of marketing, were kept very busy with their visits on Capitol Hill.

"This is my third year attending, and I've found that each year the attendance grows and MEDITECH is well received," says Hobbs.

She and Hemingway met with many Massachusetts representatives and staff members during the week, including staff from Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry's offices, as well as those from Representatives William Delahunt, Stephen Lynch, and Barney Frank's offices. "It was nice to have a few offices remember us from last year," says Hobbs. "We not only discussed health information technology and its impact on health care, but we also shared MEDITECH's personal goals as a company. We were pleased to discover how happy they were to have us based in Massachusetts, where we continue to grow and support the economy."

Hobbs adds that it was impressive to see how their knowledge about health care information technology has expanded over time. "Government leaders are really very interested and well-versed in how I.T. can impact patient safety, and they are eager to see how today's tools can help reduce costs and impact better management of chronic care."

MEDITECH was also asked to demonstrate its electronic health record in the Senate Dirksen building. The session was attended by a number of government staffers, as well as Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. MEDITECH plans to schedule site visits with congressional staff members in the future, so they can see more health information technology in action with our local customers in the DC area.

"This event validated my view that we need the Office of the National I.T. Coordinator to be codified and made into a permanent government position," says Hobbs. "We are living in a time and place where there is consistent support from the White House, members of Congress, state capitals, and state legislatures to transform health care indefinitely."

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