Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 107 Part 2.djvu/424

 107 STAT. 1376 PUBLIC LAW 103-136—NOV. 8, 1993 Public Law 103-136 103d Congress Joint Resolution Nov. 8, 1993 Designating the week beginning October 31, 1993, as "National Health Information [H.J. Res. 205] Management Week". Whereas accurate, timely, and complete medical records and related health information are vital in planning and providing for quality health care for the people of the United States; Whereas such records and information are vital to providing health care to an individual beginning at the birth of the individual and continuing throughout the life of the individual; Whereas public concern about the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care is escalating; Whereas specific skills in evaluating and reporting the results of health care are required to provide public accountability; Whereas equitable third-party reimbursement for health care is dependent on health information that is collected, analyzed, classified, verified, and disseminated; Whereas public awareness of patient rights, including the right of a patient to access the patient's own medical information, is increasing; Whereas the needs and requirements for health information of the health care industry and the use of the information by the industry are changing rapidly; Whereas the rate of such changes will continue to increase as new health care technology is used and new health care reform policies are promulgated; Whereas the 35,000 members of the American Health Information Management Association are the health information leaders of the United States; and Whereas such members have demonstrated commitment to, and expertise in, health information management: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning October 31, 1993, is designated as "National Health Information Management Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved November 8, 1993. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 205: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993): Oct. 26, considered and passed House. Oct. 28, considered and passed Senate.

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