March 7, 2006 CONTACT: Susan Straub
Harper Angel's bill on health network passes Senate
FRANKFORT -- The Senate today approved Senator Denise Harper Angel's bill to include electronic registries for advanced directives (living wills) and organ donations as part of the electronic health network Kentucky is designing.
"The immediacy of the network will make it possible to place the kind of information that's often needed in emergencies -- advanced directives and organ donations -- only a key stroke away for emergency room doctors," said Harper Angel, D-Louisville.
The legislature passed a bill to set up the health network last year. The bill called for the appointment of a board to design the network, with the involvement of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. That work began last summer.
Ultimately, the network is expected to improve patient care, reduce medical errors and cut health care costs by making it possible to speed comprehensive information on an individual patient or the latest research on a patient's condition to their physician.
"The network can improve the way we respond to emergencies and ensure that physicians have the opportunity to follow each citizen's individual choices," Harper Angel said.
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Note: For a high-res. JPEG photo file of Senator Harper Angel, please log on to www.lrc.state.ky.us/pubinfo/ephoto.htm.