HIT Advocacy in 2019

Health IT Day in Texas happened January 16 & 17, 2019. HIMSS members from the entire state came together with their fellow healthcare technology professionals to advocate for key Health Information Technology issues to help create safer and more efficient healthcare systems. We kicked off Texas Health IT Day activities on Wednesday evening at the iconic Stephen F. Austin Hotel with a networking social and training. Thursday included visits with Texas legislators at the Texas State Capitol in which we introduced and discussed important topics in the morning, and wrapped up with panel presentations in the afternoon.

Governor Greg Abbott declared January 17, 2019 the 6^th Annual Texas Healthcare Information and Technology Day.

Topics of critical importance to Texans that we discussed:

• Interoperability
• Opioid Crisis
• Virtual Health

Additionally, HIMSS leaders from Texas presented Representative Four Price and Senator Charles Perry with the Texas HIMSS Legislator of the Year awards for their work in supporting better healthcare through the use of technology for the citizens of Texas.