Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the below statement following the Senate HELP Committee’s hearing to advance companion legislation to the 21^st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6).

“While there has been widespread adoption of electronic health records, this technology has failed to meaningfully improve care for providers and patients—leaving our nation’s healthcare system fragmented.

“We will not achieve the goals of the 21^st Century Cures Act, precision medicine, or payment reform if health data remains immobile and unwieldy. For these reasons, my top priority is policy that will facilitate a nationwide interoperable health information system.

“I am encouraged by the concrete step forward that the Senate HELP Committee has taken with respect to its legislation to improve health information technology. I appreciate the committee’s continued prioritization of achieving an interoperable health system as members work to develop their companion legislation to the House’s 21st Century Cures Act. I remain confident that the Senate will achieve its companion innovation bill to the 21st Century Cures Act.”

The “Improving Health Information Technology Act” is the Senate companion bill to the health information technology language found in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s 21^st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6). The House of Representatives passed the 21^st Century Cures Act with overwhelming bipartisan support in July 2015.