Broad Coalition Pushes Congress To Approve e-Prescribing Bill

A diverse combination of interest groups -- from AARP and AFL-CIO, to the Corporate Health Care Coalition and the National Retail Federation -- is pushing lawmakers to approve a bill that would require electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) in
Medicare.

The organizations in support sent a signed letter to congressional leaders urging passage of the legislation, according to a statement.

"This broad support for an e-prescribing requirement in Medicare underscores how important this issue is in the current Medicare debate," says Mark Merritt, president and CEO of one such group in support, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association. "E-prescribing saves lives and money, and is the first step toward broader health IT reform."

The bipartisan "Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007" would require e-prescribing in Medicare and was introduced by Senate Finance Committee members John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.). It also enjoys support from 12 additional co-sponsors, including Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), John Sununu (R-NH), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), the coalition in support says.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-Penn.) and Jon Porter (R-Nev.), and currently has 29 total co-sponsors, the coalition says.

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