7/21/2004Today, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) officially introduced the “Josie King Act” (also known as the “QUEST Act”), named for an 18-month old infant who died as a result of preventable medical errors. The bill would transform the technological backbone of the American healthcare industry by 2015, enabling higher quality, better patient safety, and increased efficiency.

The announcement coincides with the National Health Information Infrastructure conference taking place in Washington today. The conference, organized by the Bush Administration, is focusing on developing a plan to improve the quality and safety of healthcare for all Americans by transforming the system through technology. Kennedy’s bill is the only comprehensive proposal currently before Congress to address this need.

“Our health care system failed Josie King, as it’s failed so many people,” said Kennedy. “As incredible as our medical care can be, structural flaws in our health care system cost tens of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars each year. We can and we must do better.

“Nobody should suffer needlessly the way Josie and her family have,” Kennedy added.

Read Senator Kennedy’s press release