Archive for the 'Christine Bechtel' Category

In the Works: New Patient Rights

Published on September 15, 2011 in Christine Bechtel. 0 Comments

Christine Bechtel, Leader

“When it comes to health care, information is power. When patients have their lab results, they are more likely to ask the right questions, make better decisions and receive better care.”
~ HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Patients and families may soon have a great opportunity to have more control over ­ and make improvements in ­ the health care they receive. Under a proposed rule released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today, patients will be able to receive test results reports directly from labs upon request.

This is great news: it will help patients access their information when they want and need to, ensure that their medical records are updated and accurate, and support them in being active and informed decision-makers in their care.

Does this take doctors out of the equation? Absolutely not. Doctors and other providers always have been and will continue to be essential in helping patients understand and interpret their test results. This rule won’t change that.

Here’s what it will change: Right now, many states have laws that prohibit patients and families from getting their test results directly from the labs; they must go through doctors’ offices instead. And unfortunately, there are still millions of patients who do not receive their lab results, leaving them without the information that they need. That, too, will change.

The new rule will allow patients to have a more hands-on role in their health care decisions and be able to seek the medical attention that they need – and that’s a huge step forward for better care.

Learn more in our statement.

Great News: ‘Meaningful Use’ Rule Released Today!

Published on July 13, 2010 in Christine Bechtel. 9 Comments
Christine Bechtel

Christine Bechtel

We’ve said it before and you know it’s true: health information technology is for better health outcomes, not just better technology. And the new regulations released by the Obama administration show that they get it.

I was thrilled to watch HHS Secretary Sebelius, who recently spoke at the National Partnership’s annual luncheon, make the announcement this morning at HHS. These new regulations will mean that those health providers who take federal health IT dollars will be held accountable for improving the care you receive – by using health IT in a meaningful way.

An end is finally in sight for the days when doctors have to sift through incomplete and incomprehensible hand-written medical records – when patients must tote test results from doctor to doctor – and when family caregivers spend endless time trying to coordinate medications and treatments for those who can’t do so for themselves.

And we say ‘good riddance.’ The regulations are strong, sensible, patient-centered – and just what the nation needs as we reform our health care system.

But let’s be clear: our work on the meaningful use of health IT isn’t done. As we move forward, we need to make sure the regulations are strengthened so providers who violate privacy laws are ineligible for federal IT dollars, and so providers are required to give all patients timely access to their health information.

So, for today, let’s celebrate. Today’s action helps put in place the foundation for a health care system that works for patients and families – and we will all benefit as private and secure electronic health records become the norm in the United States. And tomorrow, we forge ahead. Stay tuned….