Comments on Health Information Technology and Electronic Medical Records
Former Labor Extension Program Director and current part-timer Charley Richardson has been writing a series of comments on the rush to implement Health Information Technology (HIT) and, in particular, Electronic Medical Records (EMR) without a voice for the workforce in discussion and decision-making. The $19 billion in the stimulus package set aside to promote EMR and other technologies makes this even more of a critical issue for unions representing health care workers.The first commentary, entitled "Obama and Newt Gingrich Both Want to Spend $19 Billion on Electronic Medical Records: What’s That About?," discusses the politics behind the money in the stimulus package for HIT and the need for public policy oversight that includes the voices of health care workers and their unions. It can be viewed by clicking here.
The second piece, entitled "What do nurses and other health care workers have to say about EMRs and HIT?," focuses on the lack of a worker voice in technology decision-making and the impact that this will have on health-care workers and patients alike. It can be viewed by clicking here.
The third piece is "An Open Memo to Unions Representing Health Care Workers," urging them to take action on Health Information Technology and Electronic Medical Records. It can be viewed by clicking here.
The fourth piece is called "Health Information Technology: Whose Voice is Being Heard, Whose Interests are Being Served?." It examines some of the connections between health-information technology policy and health-care policy and specifically the role that large insurer Wellpoint is playing in technology policy, health-care policy and health-care restructuring through promoting "medical tourism." It can be viewed by clicking here.
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