Governor’s Column - August 4, 2006
by Governor Matt Blunt
Improving Healthcare Delivery through Technology
Technology has made a positive impact on the lives of Missourians providing convenience and access to information but in many ways Missouri’s healthcare system has not provided the same positive benefit to those who rely on the state for health services. One of my top priorities as governor is to create a new healthcare delivery system in our state that improves patient access to critical information and reduces burdensome red tape and paper work for providers and state agencies involved in the process.
I commend the state legislature for realizing the potential benefits of technology to our healthcare sector by authorizing $25 million to the Healthcare Technology Fund. I called for this fund in the State of the State in order to ensure that basic technology will become part of the improved delivery of healthcare services for all Missourians.
This week I was pleased to announce that part of the funding available under the Healthcare Technology Fund will provide funding for a new, innovative electronic health records program. Currently most patient data is stored in paper form and housed with individual providers, making it difficult for physicians to obtain accurate health care information in order to provide effective and beneficial treatment to their patients. The electronic health record program is intended to improve health outcomes, facilitate coordination of care between providers, reduce dangerous drug interactions, minimize duplicate therapies and reduce unnecessary Medicaid spending. The fact that over 700 physicians have already enrolled in the program speaks to its value to Missouri's provider community and the patients they serve.
Together we have implemented important changes to the state’s broken social welfare system that has kept the safety net in place for those truly in need of assistance. We must build a system that respects your hard earned tax dollars and is sustainable for the long-term. Our Medicaid program continues to cost more money each year even with needed reforms, a fact we must keep in mind while we continue to develop a new program. Our generous social welfare program accounts for 29 percent of the entire state budget.
Since taking office in January 2005, we have uncovered $139.7 million in savings for the Medicaid program by aggressively working to target waste, fraud and abuse. The issue of targeting fraud and abuse is key to our reform efforts. We must pass a tough Medicaid fraud bill to stiffen penalties against service providers caught defrauding Missouri taxpayers and help rid the Medicaid system of fraudulent activities.
There are many positive and exciting aspects relating to the implementation of technology in healthcare, and I will continue to look for new ways to improve the delivery of healthcare services through the use of technology in our state. We use technology in many ways today to better our lives, make things more convenient, efficient and safer, so by utilizing technology in the healthcare sector we will reduce costs while at the same time improving outcomes for Missouri patients.