Sen. Obama’s Health Care Plan: How Will Investing in Technology Improve Health Care?
SpineUniverse submitted health care-related questions to both the Obama and McCain campaigns. Sen. McCain did not respond, but you can research his health care plans here. Below is Sen. Obama’s answer to the fourth question.
Question 4: How can our health care system be improved by making better use of today’s Internet and computer technologies?
Most medical records are still stored on paper, which makes them difficult to use to coordinate care, measure quality, or reduce medical errors. Processing paper claims also costs twice as much as processing electronic claims.
The Obama-Biden administration will invest $10 billion a year over the next five years to move the U.S. health care system to broad adoption of standards-based electronic health information systems, including electronic health records. They will also phase in standards for full implementation of health IT and commit the necessary federal resources to make it happen.
Joe and I will ensure that these systems are developed in coordination with providers and frontline workers, including those in rural and underserved areas.
We will ensure that patients’ privacy is protected. A study by the Rand Corporation found that if most hospitals and doctors’ offices adopted electronic health records, up to $77 billion of savings would be realized each year through improvements, such as reduced hospital stays, avoidance of duplicative and unnecessary testing, and more appropriate drug utilization.
Improved health IT will help health care providers and patients manage and coordinate care through the Internet and other technologies. Over 75% of total health care dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Many patients with chronic diseases benefit greatly from disease management programs, which help patients manage their condition and get the care they need.
Moreover, rates of chronic diseases have skyrocketed in the last 2 decades. Over 133 million Americans have at least one chronic disease. With proper care, the onset and progression of these diseases can be contained for many years.
In addition to the needless suffering and early deaths they cause, these chronic conditions cost a staggering $1.7 trillion yearly. The Obama-Biden plan will help providers put in place care management programs and encourage team care through implementation of medical home type models. This will improve coordination and integration of care of those with chronic conditions. Improved care coordination depends on greater health IT investments.
Read Sen. Obama’s answers to SpineUniverse’s other questions:
- What about the uninsured and underinsured?
- What about small businesses?
- How are you going to help kids?
- What are 3 key points you want voters to know about your health care plan?
