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Pass health IT now

Your March 3 editorial "Advancing health IT," while making a strong case for the enormous value of health information technologies, failed to mention that prompt passage of legislation pending in Congress is critical to the widespread and successful adoption of such technologies.

The initiation of programs such as the Google Health Web service and various regional and state-based efforts highlight the growing public hunger for various forms of health IT. Nationally, health IT has the potential to save $165 billion annually from increased efficiencies and dramatically improved health outcomes. However, uncontrolled proliferation of incompatible systems would quickly compromise its potential. There is an immediate need for uniform standards to ensure the interoperability of existing and future programs.

Thanks to the hard bipartisan work of Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, ranking member Sen. Michael B. Enzi, Wyoming Republican, and many others, legislation calling for a national health IT system has been written and vetted and stands ready for passage. The Kennedy-Enzi bill wisely would apply to the private sector as well. The public and private sector would benefit from this legislation.

Business Roundtable member CEOs, who provide health insurance for almost a quarter of all Americans who are covered in the private sector, stand ready to drive quick implementation of electronic medical records, but we can't until we have clear and uniform interoperable standards.

We cannot wait any longer. The hard work is already done. Congress must pass health IT now.

JOHN CASTELLANI

President

Business Roundtable

Washington