South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Bill 3170

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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 9, 2010

H. 3170

Introduced by Reps. Gunn, Wylie, Hart, Loftis, R.L. Brown, Whipper and King

S. Printed 3/9/10--S.

Read the first time March 3, 2009.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL AFFAIRS

To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3170) to create the Joint Electronic Health Information Study Committee to examine the feasibility of increasing the use of health information technology and electronic personal health records, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the resolution, as and if amended, page 1, by striking line 19 and inserting:

/    BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2011, AT WHICH TIME THE STUDY     /

Amend the resolution further, as and if amended, page 3, by striking line 2 and inserting:

/        Assembly and Governor before February 15, 2011, at which time the     /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

HARVEY S. PEELER, JR. for Committee.

            

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO CREATE THE JOINT ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE USE OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONIC PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP, AND TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2010, AT WHICH TIME THE STUDY COMMITTEE IS ABOLISHED.

Whereas, health information technology and the use of electronic personal health records have been shown to reduce medical errors, and improve diagnoses and overall health care by allowing doctors and patients alike to track patient prescriptions, allergies, and medical histories; and

Whereas, the use of health information technology and the use of electronic personal health records increase patient privacy and security by requiring persons accessing records to authenticate their identities and by creating and storing a list of all individuals who access the record; and

Whereas, the use of health information technology and the use of electronic personal health records have been shown to reduce health care spending by eliminating unwarranted tests, procedures and prescriptions, and improving safety and efficiency; and

Whereas, there is a clear need for identifying the steps that can be taken to implement the increased use of health information technology and electronic personal health records in this State. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    (A)    There is created the Joint Electronic Health Information Study Committee. This committee shall study factors affecting the adoption of health information technology in this State, including, but not limited to the following:

(1)    the current rate of use of health information technology and electronic personal health records;

(2)    factors impeding the increased use of health information technology and electronic personal health records; and

(3)    steps that could be taken to expand the use of health information technology and electronic personal health records in this State.

(B)    The committee is composed of:

(1)    nine members appointed by the Governor that must include a physician, a hospital administrator, a pharmacist, a consumer representative, a representative of the health insurance industry, a representative from the information technology sector with expertise in electronic privacy issues, a representative of the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services Association, and a member of the public at-large;

(2)    three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(3)    three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(C)    At the first meeting of the committee, the members shall elect a chairperson from among the committee members.

(D)    A vacancy occurring on the committee must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(E)    The staffing for the committee must be provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and the appropriate committees of the Senate and House of Representatives that oversee health care policy in this State.

(F)    The members of the committee may not receive compensation and are not entitled to receive mileage, subsistence, and per diem authorized by law for members of state boards, committees.

(G)    The committee shall submit its report to the General Assembly and Governor before January 1, 2010, at which time the Joint Electronic Health Information Study Committee is abolished.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on March 9, 2010 at 6:33 PM