Rep. Gordon Backs Health IT For Stimulus
House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon joined a growing roster of his Capitol Hill colleagues on Thursday in recommending potential components of the economic stimulus package that lawmakers hope to unveil in January. In a briefing on his panel's agenda for the 111th Congress, he said investments in health information technology could create jobs, save money and save lives. Part of that language would need to include interoperability and security standards, which has been a focus of the committee through its work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
"Innovation will play a critical role in maintaining our competitiveness," Gordon said, noting that about half of the growth of GDP over the past 50 years is a result developing and adopting new technologies. He also vowed to work with the Obama administration to implement the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E), which would apply the DARPA research model to energy technology development. "ARPA-E will foster innovation that will lead to technological breakthroughs. It is uniquely positioned to be the bridge to the new energy economy," Gordon said.
During the event, he also lauded the newly designated Energy Secretary Steven Chu,who currently serves as director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He said he was "thrilled" that Obama selected an official from the science community, "someone who speaks our language." Chu's nomination is an indication the incoming administration will hold science in the highest regard, Gordon said. Read more about the committee's agenda for the new Congress here.
Categories:
Congress
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus