Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) today introduced the Medicaid Access Project through Information Technology (MAP IT). The bill will allow for the creation of a demonstration project that will provide a more efficient and effective system for managing chronic disease by using health information technology on disease management for the Medicaid population.

“Under the current paper-based healthcare system, patients and their doctors lack instant access to medical information,” said U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09). “This lack of connectivity and shared knowledge leads to medical errors, increased costs, and inefficiency.  This pilot project would leverage information technology as a tool to increase the efficiency of the healthcare system, improve the quality of care for Medicaid patients and it will decrease costs to states and the federal government, which are facing record deficits.”

The demonstration project will give chronic disease patients and caregivers access to their own medical records and to a single source of information on chronic disease. The program will include several channels of communication with health educators, as well as a Personal Health Record, to allow patients to record and track their own health information. Information and access methods will be tailored to the patient’s needs. Physicians and other caregivers will have access to complete, current treatment and health status information for chronic disease patients, using the virtual case management tool.

“One of my top priorities is to provide access to quality, affordable health care,” said U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris (WA-05). “Recent advancements in health information technology and the use of electronic medical records allows for innovative collaboration where patients, doctors and health educators can be brought together online to discuss patients health care needs. By providing online access for managing chronic disease, we can improve health care for Medicaid recipients and provide states with an alternative to cutting services or raising taxes.”

Combined federal and state spending on Medicaid over the next ten years is estimated to be $14.5 trillion.  The federal government has proposed significant reductions in funding for Medicaid. This increases the financial burden on states, forcing them to either decrease Medicaid enrollment and services, or raise taxes. Expenses from the care of individuals with chronic conditions are a major part of state Medicaid budgets. Facilitating access to chronic disease management program through information technology would save states money on their overall Medicaid budget.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will select at least four proposals to perform the demonstration projects from those submitted by states. The demonstrations will be for two years with an evaluation afterwards to determine the amount of cost savings resulting from the project.

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) is pleased to announce that he helped secure more than $4 million in federal funds from the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations bill that recently passed the House of Representatives. Of note, Smith received $100,000 for the Valley Cities Regional Wireless Network and $750,000 for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) for the DNA Stranger Rape Pilot Program.

“The Valley cities of Auburn, Renton, Tukwila, Kent, Algona, Pacific, Puyallup, Sumner and Fife comprise one of the most dynamic regions in Washington State,” said Smith. “It’s exciting that these cities are coming together to create a wireless network that will allow local law enforcement access to better and quicker information while in the field, and increasing public safety for all of the communities in the Valley. I’m pleased that the money I was able to secure will help fund a feasibility study to determine how a regional wireless network could be installed, operated and maintained to benefit the region.” 

Smith also discussed the $750,000 that was received for the WASPC’S “DNA Stranger Rape Pilot Program.”

“As a former prosecutor, I know that we must do all we can to prevent violent crime in our region and this program will help solve and prevent stranger rapes in our state by requiring DNA testing to be completed and compared to DNA databases within 30 days of a stranger rape occurring,” said Smith. “The funds I was able to secure will be used to help run the pilot program for two years. I hope that state and local governments decide this is an effective program and will then continue to fund it.”

Other earmarks include the following:

* $1.5 Million for the World Vision Youth Outreach Workers, World Vision US

* $100,000 the Pierce County Youth Assessment Center, A Chance To Change

* $250,000 for the Gang Intervention Program, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

* $2 million - WA State Meth Initiative