National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler, speaking before the World Health Congress on Monday, urged broad reforms to the nation’s health care system through wider utilization of health information technology (health IT) and increased transparency of health cost and quality data.
“Manufacturers lead the way in innovation and technology. Our increased productivity, continued world leadership in manufacturing depends on adopting the newest technologies and business strategies,” Engler said. “In contrast, health care has lagged behind.”
Engler led a discussion on the impact of health care costs and employer perspectives into the drive for value-based purchasing, health IT, and efficiency.
Part of the discussion centered around Dossia, the web-based platform capable of providing personal, portable and private health records to consumers. NAM endorsed this system during the technology’s unveiling in September 2006. Dossia will help employees better manage their health care, improve communications between doctors and patients, and reduce inefficiencies in the health care system.
“The Dossia platform provides the crucial infrastructure necessary to streamline our overly paper-based and outdated health records system” Engler said.
The platform is being funded by The Dossia Founders Group which includes Applied Materials, BP America, Inc., Cardinal Health, Intel Corp., Pitney Bowes and Wal-Mart.