Washington, Jul 27 -  WNC Representative Charles Taylor voted Thursday in favor of H.R. 4157, the Better Health Information Systems Act. Taylor praised the legislation as a worthy national extension of the WNC Data Link program, which is already up and running in Western North Carolina.

“I am very happy that the House has finally recognized the need to digitally integrate hospitals and health records,” said Rep. Taylor. “The WNC Data Link – one of the many initiatives I proudly support through the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas – is the first regional health information organization of its kind in the country, and it has served as a great model for the rest of the nation to follow.”

Rep. Taylor secured $2.5 million in federal funds to launch the WNC Data Link in Fiscal Year 2002. This high-tech system will connect the 16 hospitals across Western North Carolina and allow doctors at those hospitals to quickly, easily and securely access patient information through a high-speed connection. Doctors will be able to view patient records from any of the participating hospitals and can provide more accurate and efficient treatment. Seven hospitals – Mission Hospitals, Angel Medical Center, Haywood Regional Medical Center, Rutherford Hospital, Transylvania Community Hospital, McDowell Hospital, and Spruce Pine Community Hospital – are already connected and the remaining nine will be connected within the next year.

The Better Health Information Systems Act mirrors Rep. Taylor’s WNC Data Link in many ways. This legislation allows hospitals and group practices to use high-speed technology to enhance their patient care while securing the privacy of their patients. It also establishes an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor this nationally.

“It will take time before the funding will be in place to make this national program a reality,” said Taylor. “But the funding for the WNC Data Link is already in place and seven hospitals are already connected. The remaining hospitals will be connected by this time next year. This is just another example of how WNC’s private and public sector partnerships are leading the nation.”