Washington, D.C. – A day after massive layoffs for more than 55,000 workers were announced, the House took up debate on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This bold legislation will create and save 3 to 4 million American jobs, provide 95% of American workers an immediate tax deduction, and make investments in innovation in healthcare, education and energy. These investments are all designed to address not just America’s short term economic crisis, but to rebuild our economy for long term growth.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz has worked to ensure that this package puts Americans back to work by strengthening the ability of businesses to hire more American workers in the private sector. Schwartz has also taken on a lead role in crafting elements concerning significant investment in healthcare information technology.

Specifically, Schwartz has advocated for the bill to include $20 billion to promote health IT and a nation-wide network of secure, interoperable electronic medical records for all Americans. Widespread adoption of health IT will save lives and improve care. It will also result in substantial savings in healthcare, to the extent of more than $10 billion for federal health programs alone, while also potentially reducing premiums in the private insurance market by $3.1 billion.  Provisions in the recovery plan concerning health IT and providers that receive Medicaid and SCHIP funding are in part inspired by Schwartz’s legislation, “E-Centives Act of 2009.”

“Families in my district are gripped with anxiety about the economic challenges facing our nation. But they are also optimistic about the promise of our new President. They understand that swift, meaningful, bold action is needed to restore confidence in our markets, save jobs, and rebuild our economy. This plan achieves those goals. I am particularly proud of the major new investment in health information technology.  By increasing the use of health IT from 25% of physicians today to 90% within ten years we will improve quality and save lives, while reducing costs for patients, employers and taxpayers,” said U.S. Rep. Schwartz.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee highlighted Schwartz’s work on health IT, saying, “As an active member of the Committee on Ways and Means and the chair of the New Democrat Coalition Taskforce on Health, Allyson Schwartz has taken a leadership role in working with us to develop the concepts and guidelines used to define the health IT measures in the economic recovery bill. I look forward to our continued partnership on this and other health care issues.”

The House is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow, with the Senate expected to begin debate next week.

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