We learned this week that American families are poorer today than they were 23 years ago and 40% poorer than in 2007. The drop in American families’ wealth and news this week about a drop in retail sales is more evidence that middle class Americans and Main Street businesses are still struggling. Republicans in the House will continue to focus on legislation that cuts regulations and spending and promotes job creation. You can track the progress of jobs legislation on this page of my website.
On Tuesday, I sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, inquiring about whether the Department has adopted the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recommendations for improving the safety of health information technology (IT). You will find more information below.
Also, this week in the Second District I held my first meeting with my Agriculture Advisory Board, toured the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine and the NC National Guard, and visited NC State for their Fast 15 event.
Finally, on Thursday I released a new video wishing the Army a happy 237th birthday from Afghanistan.
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In the District
In addition to meeting with my Agriculture Advisory Board this week in Clayton, I also toured the NC National Guard (including the NC Emergency Operations Center) and visited NC State to congratulate finalists of their Fast 15 program. Fast 15 is an initiative that was launched in 2011 with the goal of doubling the number of startup companies launched by university faculty and students.
Additional photos from the week can be found here.
Agriculture Advisory Board
This week, approximately 60 people came from across the Second District for the first meeting of my Agriculture Advisory Board. The meeting, which was held in Clayton, included farmers and representatives from various areas of the agriculture industry. I listened to their concerns, which included the effects of costly regulations and the proposed toll on Interstate 95. I shared with them what we are doing on the Agriculture Committee and in Congress to address those concerns.
Addressing Health IT Safety Concerns
In a letter to Kathleen Sebelius this week, I inquired about the Department of Health and Human Services’ adoption of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recommendations for improving the safety of health information technology (IT). The report, issued in November, recommended several steps to be taken by HHS and called for greater oversight by the public and private sectors.
The Secretary was called upon by the IOM to issue a plan within 12 months to minimize patient safety risks associated with health IT and report annually on the progress being made. The report further recommended that the plan should include a schedule for working with the private sector to assess the impact of health IT on patient safety, and recommended several other steps to help improve the safety of health IT.
Specifically, I requested a copy of the Secretary’s plan to minimize patient safety risks, a description of health IT-related errors that have resulted in patient risks, injuries and deaths, and the status of the development of a mechanism for health IT vendors and users to report health IT-related deaths. She said that because health IT has the promise to improve health care delivery for patients, physicians and other medical professionals, she remains eager to work with the Secretary to ensure that health IT is safe, effective and affordable.
For more information, click here to read the full letter and here for my press release.
Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army
Last month I visited Afghanistan and recorded a video message to the Army in honor of their 237th birthday. For over two centuries the brave men and women of our military have continued to fight for freedom abroad and protect it at home. I’m proud of our army’s noble tradition and wish all of our troops the very best as we celebrate their important place in our nation’s history. Click here to view the video.