BILL NUMBER:S7592

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
adding home care representation to the workgroup on state health
information technology infrastructure

PURPOSE:

To add home care representation to the newly convening workgroup on
state health information technology infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one adds home care agency representation to the workgroup on
state health information technology infrastructure.

Section two establishes an immediate effective date for the bill.

JUSTIFICATION:

Fully functional and interoperable health information technology is
vital to the state's and health care sector's efforts to promote
reform, collaboration and integration of health care system.
Collaborating partners, including hospitals, physicians, home care,
and others, must have technology platforms that are adequately in
place, compatible and geared to both clinical and operational
              

application.

Major state and federal policy changes - including the state's new
health care reinvestment waiver and "Delivery System Reform Incentive
Payment" program effort - and innovations from within the health
system itself, envision and depend upon this core technological
capacity and role.

Technology will inarguably play an increasingly key role in health
care quality, efficiency and affordability.

Consistent with perspective, this year's Health and Mental Hygiene
Article VII legislation created a workgroup to examine and make
necessary recommendations regarding the state's health information
technology infrastructure. The new workgroup will include key health
collaborating partners, such as hospitals, physicians, health centers
and others. The enabling language however overlooked the inclusion of
home care, which is vital to nearly all of the state, federal and
health sector reform which predominately are focused on promoting and
maintaining the health of individuals in the home and community, and
harnessing the partnership of home care for this purpose.

This legislation would rightfully add home care representation to this
workgroup and to the discussions, recommendations and other
deliverables which ensue.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:


None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

The bill will take effect immediately.