AHA urges Senate appropriators to allow funding for unique patient identifier

Sep 06, 2019 - 02:16 PM
OPPS AHA comments

The AHA today urged leaders of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to allow funding for the adoption of a unique patient identifier as part of the fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. “For the past 20 years, language has been included in appropriations bills prohibiting HHS from spending any federal funding to adopt a UPI,” AHA wrote. “Removing the prohibition on the use of federal funds to promulgate or adopt a national UPI would provide HHS the ability to explore solutions that link patients with their correct medical records.” In June, the House of Representatives voted to remove the ban on funding for a UPI when it passed H.R. 2740. “America’s hospitals and health systems are committed to ensuring the highest quality care in a timely manner,” AHA said. “Funding for a UPI would help reduce administrative costs and ensure efficient, timely care for patients.”

Related News Articles

Headline
Joint Commission streamlines accreditation process, removes over 700 requirements 
The Joint Commission June 30 announced a new, streamlined process that removes 714 requirements from its hospital accreditation program. The new program,…
Headline
AHA’s Pollack details significant progress hospitals have made improving patient safety
AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack explains how hospitals have made meaningful progress in patient safety and delivering high-quality care, in a column…
Headline
FDA doesn’t appeal court ruling invalidating lab-developed tests rule, effectively eliminating it
A 60-day appeal window has passed for the Food and Drug Administration to appeal a federal court ruling that invalidated its final rule to regulate laboratory-…
Headline
AHA makes 100 suggestions to Trump administration on providing regulatory relief 
The AHA May 12 responded to the Office of Management and Budget's April 11 request for information on regulatory relief, making 100 suggestions to the Trump…
Headline
AHA launches online collaborative focused on quality improvement
The AHA Living Learning Network is launching the Quality Exchange, a virtual collaborative for health care quality and patient safety professionals at…
Headline
Court strikes down FDA rule on regulating lab-developed tests
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas March 31 ruled that the Food and Drug Administration does not have the authority to regulate…