AHIMA SUPPORTS ALLIED HEALTH REINVESTMENT ACT
Bill will provide funding for allied health education programs

CHICAGO, March 26—The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) announces its support for HR 4016, the “Allied Health Reinvestment Act,” introduced on March 23 by Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Ted Strickland (D-OH). “Just as the shortage of nurses and other caregivers has understandably received great media attention and swift support from government and private sponsors, the accelerated recruitment and training of health information management (HIM) professionals is needed in order to meet current and future industry needs,” stated Linda Kloss, RHIA, CAE, executive vice president and CEO of AHIMA.

The Allied Health Reinvestment Act is designed to establish, reauthorize and reinvigorate allied health education programs under Title VII of the Public Health Services Act. HR 4016 is the result of efforts by AHIMA and a number of other organizations to address the shortage of qualified HIM and other allied health professionals and educators in the industry. Currently, academic programs need to be enhanced and funded, and students need to be recruited and supported, in order to meet the demands of managing healthcare data in an electronic environment. Failure to address such workforce issues for HIM and other allied health professions will have a negative impact on the delivery of healthcare in future years.

The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and AHIMA’s own research data projects a 49 percent growth in the number of HIM workers by 2010. This means that approximately 6,000 new HIM workers are needed each year to fill new positions and replace those who retire or leave the field. Today, approximately 2,500 new graduates enter the HIM field each year.

“HIM curriculum in our accredited colleges and universities will need to be updated to properly prepare students to meet the demands of a 21st Century healthcare system,” Kloss stated. “We must take action now to ensure we can meet future demands for trained HIM professionals in order to avoid this impending workforce shortage. We need to start today if we expect our professionals to be prepared for tomorrow.

In addition to advocating for HR 4016, AHIMA is working on developing new model curricula for HIM academic programs and reclassifying the profession within the Bureau of Labor Statistics data collection.

“AHIMA continues to work with its members, allied health partners, educators, and policy makers on this important workforce legislation,” Kloss added.

For AHIMA’s statement on HIM workforce, visit the association’s Web site at http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_015763.hcsp.

AHIMA is the national association of health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA's 53,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to www.ahima.org.