Tech Programs Survive Vitter Hatchet
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., unsuccessfully offered an amendment Wednesday evening to strip from the economic stimulus package a multi-billion section that would fund programs intended to spur the nationwide adoption of electronic medical records. His proposal, which failed 32-65, would have also nixed funding for other high-tech provisions including:
▪ National Institute of Standards and Technology construction ($357 million)
▪ Defense Department hybrid vehicle purchases ($100 million)
▪ NASA climate change research ($500 million)
▪ Broadband investments and deployment ($9 billion)
"It's disappointing that the Senate ignored this opportunity to show our constituents that we are truly serious about creating jobs and stimulating our ailing economy," Vitter said. He said his proposal would have pulled more than $45 billion in "Washington spending projects." Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., spoke on the floor a short time earlier, emphasizing the importance of the health IT language. While the economic trouble is top of mind, the crisis affecting the U.S. healthcare system is close behind and could be even more detrimental, he said.
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