LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 15-19, 2014, as Health Information Technology Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that affect
the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 15-19, 2014, as
Health Information Technology Week in the State of New York, in conjunc-
tion with the observance of the 9th Annual National Health Information
Technology Week; and
WHEREAS, National Health Information Technology Week is organized by
the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and is
supported by corporate, association, and non-profit partners from around
the country; last year, over 375 healthcare related organizations
participated in National Health Information Technology Week 2012; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive health care reform is not possible without
system-wide adoption of health information technology, which improves
the quality of healthcare delivery, increases patient safety, decreases
medical errors, and strengthens the interaction between patients and
healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, With the "Meaningful Use" guidelines supported by the Medi-
care and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program now
providing the way forward, eligible providers and hospitals across the
country increasingly understand the benefits for themselves and their
patients, and are adopting Meaningful Use-compliant electronic health
records; to date, New York's eligible providers and hospitals have
received a significant amount from the EHR Incentive Program; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative to acknowledge Health Information Technology
Week in the State of New York; it is also necessary to recognize the
many accomplishments that have already been attained in adopting health
information technology, and to increase public awareness about the bene-
fits of the improved quality and cost efficiency of the healthcare
system that the implementation of health information technology could
achieve; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 15-19, 2014,
as Health Information Technology Week in the State of New York; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.