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

Perspective
Public
The 2025 AHA Leadership Summit wrapped up on July 22, and as always, it was energizing and inspiring to connect with so many talented and dedicated people…
Headline
The AHA July 24 announced it is collaborating with health care technology leader Epic to help hospitals adopt tools that support the early detection and…
Headline
Carolyn Bogard, DNP, R.N., director of care coordination and palliative care at El Camino Health, talks about her system’s use of data to harness the passion…
Headline
AHA Chair-elect Marc Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist, and AHA Immediate-past Chair Joanne Conroy, M.D., president and CEO of Dartmouth…
Headline
Hartford HealthCare in Hartford, Conn., will receive the 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize as a result of their sweeping transformation over the past decade —…
Headline
A Q&A in the July edition of AHA Trustee Insights features leaders from Winchester Hospital in Massachusetts discussing the importance of board members…