Advocacy Day 2007

HIMSS Advocacy Day Puts Words into Action

HIMSS members take health IT message to the Hill

HIMSS and 27 other associations co-sponsored the sixth annual HIMSS Advocacy Day on May 15 in Washington, DC.  More than 250 healthcare information technology (IT) professionals and their allies from 40 states attended the morning program, which featured Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-GA) as the keynote speaker.  Rep. Gingrey told attendees the value of coming to Washington to advocate for change and thanked them for taking the time to focus on how technology can be used to transform healthcare. 

Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (D-GA) delivers the keynote address for HIMSS Advocacy Day.

A congressional staff panel consisting of Katy Barr, health aide for U.S. Senator Michael Enzi on the Senate H.E.L.P. Committee; Melanie Benning, health aide for U.S. Senator Sam Brownback; and Dr. Wendell Primus, health aide for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi updated attendees on the current congressional environment and opportunities for healthcare transformation.  After lunch, the advocates converged on Capitol Hill to conduct a total of 215 visits with their members of Congress. 

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) and Colorado State Senator Bob Hagedorn pose for a picture prior to their congressional meeting on HIT issues.

“This year’s Advocacy Day was unlike any other,” said Dave Roberts, HIMSS vice president of government relations.  “The United State Senate again passed a resolution in honor of National Health IT Week, May 14 - 18.  HIMSS Advocacy Day was also the cornerstone event of the second National Health IT Week.  Members of both the House and Senate were very aware of our messages this year and expressed strong interest to help us reach our goals.  We commend both houses of Congress for recognizing we can transform healthcare through IT.” 

“This year’s Advocacy Day was unlike any other,” said Dave Roberts, HIMSS vice president of government relations.  “The United State Senate again passed a resolution in honor of National Health IT Week, May 14 - 18.  HIMSS Advocacy Day was also the cornerstone event of the second National Health IT Week.  Members of both the House and Senate were very aware of our messages this year and expressed strong interest to help us reach our goals.  We commend both houses of Congress for recognizing we can transform healthcare through IT.”