The CEO of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives Russ Branzell criticized Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's introduction of a bill that would repeal a national patient identifier.
Mr. Branzell said Congress has approved an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020. In turn, he argues that Congress should approve funding to develop a national patient identifier.
"The patient identification conversation is one about saving lives and unlocking the potential for technology to revolutionize healthcare while cutting costs… Our patients deserve better and it is the time to do the right thing. No more excuses," Mr. Branzell said.
The CEO went on to discuss the nearly $40 billion Congress has invested into the adoption and utilization of EHRs. Mr. Branzell said it is now time to use that same bipartisan efforts to create a national patient identifier.
"Sen. Paul's arguments are tired and lack a grasp of current reality," Mr. Branzell said. "They are, to put it mildly, antiquated from some bygone era."
Sen. Rand argues that a national patient identifier is a "dangerous idea," as it could threaten the security of patients' health records, according to local news station WUKY. He says that if patient information is centralized, that it would present a greater threat to security breaches.