Bill Text: NJ SCR125 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress to fully fund federal mandate regarding electronic health records at New Jersey VA health care facilities.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9)
Status: (Passed) 2010-11-23 - Filed with Secretary of State [SCR125 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SCR125-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 125
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES BEACH
District 6 (Camden)
Senator DONALD NORCROSS
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to fully fund federal mandate regarding electronic health records at New Jersey VA health care facilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution respectfully urging the United States Congress to fully fund the federal mandate regarding electronic health records at all VA health care facilities in New Jersey.
Whereas, In February 2009, the United States Congress enacted the "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act" as part of Public Law No. 111-5, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009"; and
Whereas, The "HITECH Act" provides incentive payments through the Medicare and Medicaid programs for health care providers to make "meaningful use" of electronic health records by the end of the year 2014 and subjects health care providers to penalties in the form of reduced Medicare payments if they do not meet the "HITECH Act" standards by the year 2015; and
Whereas, New Jersey presently owns and operates three Veterans Memorial Homes under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, through the Division of Veterans Healthcare Services, which provide veterans and qualified family members with comprehensive, long-term health care services; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs estimates it will cost an additional $2,500,000 to purchase the equipment necessary to become compliant with the electronic health records standards in the "HITECH Act," which includes hardware, software, licensing fees, computers and a compatible computer program for billing; and
Whereas, In light of the current budgetary constraints in New Jersey, which are likely to persist, it will not be possible for the State to fully fund the measures necessary to bring the State's three Veterans Memorial Homes into compliance with the electronic health records standards in the "HITECH Act"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the United States Congress to provide the full funding necessary to bring the three State Veterans Memorial Homes into compliance with the electronic health records requirements of the "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act," enacted as part of United States Public Law No. 111-5, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Majority and Minority leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Majority and Minority leaders of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution respectfully urges the United States Congress to fully fund the expense of bringing the three Veterans Memorial Homes owned and operated by the State of New Jersey into compliance with the electronic health records provisions of the "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act," enacted as part of United States Public Law No. 111-5, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."
The "HITECH Act" provides incentive payments through the Medicare and Medicaid programs for health care facilities to meet certain standards regarding the implementation of an electronic health records system by the year 2014. The "HITECH Act" provides that health care facilities that do not meet these standards are subject to reduced Medicare payments starting in the year 2015.
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs estimates that it will cost approximately $2,500,000 to purchase the hard equipment necessary to meet the standards set forth in the "HITECH Act." The necessary equipment includes hardware, software, licensing fees, computers and a compatible computer program for billing. In light of the current budgetary constraints in New Jersey, the State will be unable to fund these expenses without federal assistance.
