In a Jan. 14 conference call with reporters, John Castellani, president of the Business Roundtable, urged Congress to keep two major issues in mind as it puts together the legislation. "First, we must ensure that investments are made in systems and structures that will enhance the nation's productivity," he said. "And second, we must identify projects that are far along enough in the planning process that they can create new jobs within 24 months. In health information technology, Congress has the opportunity to meet both of these goals while at the same time transform our nation's health care system."
Obama during the presidential campaign pledged to spend $10 billion a year over five years to support health I.T. He recently said health I.T. will be part of his stimulus proposal but gave no dollar amounts. Some lobbyists and congressional observers indicate the stimulus bill will include at least the first $20 billion to fulfill Obama's I.T. pledge. Business Roundtable leaders believe that could create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
"These jobs will come in high-paying industries such as computer-hardware manufacturing, software and I.T. services," Castellani said. "Additionally, thousands of indirect jobs would be created for spending on intermediate inputs involved in the process. In times of economic crisis there is no room for waste. A common misconception is that health care reform will be expensive, after all, when you expand the pool to include more people. But by improving efficiency, health I.T. will actually save Americans money--as much as $165 billion or so, enough to insure 37 million Americans."
--Joseph Goedert
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