Experts are saying that the selection of former Sen. Tom Daschle as the secretary of health and human services by President-elect Barack Obama suggests that a significant health information technology spending increase is on tap for the incoming administration.

Daschle’s book, Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis, published in early 2008, notes that “we are years, if not decades, behind European nations in harnessing health care information technology’s potential.” The book calls for removing much health care policy-making from the political arena but states that at the same time the executive branch of the federal government should promote creation of an IT infrastructure for health information.

Obama and Daschle are on record as favoring more health IT spending.

Praise for the appointment came from former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, a Republican and founder of a think tank, the Center for Health Transformation. Gingrich, a passionate advocate of improved health IT, said, “given the current state of health care in America and the opportunity for real progress in Washington next year, President-elect Obama has chosen a proven leader. Senator Daschle has long been committed to reforming health care so that all Americans can get quality, effective care.”

Though not considered a health care innovator during his 26 years in Congress, Daschle served on the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid. He also was an adviser to first lady Hillary Clinton’s failed health care reform effort in the Clinton administration.

The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society was among those applauding the news of his pending nomination to the HHS post. “HIMSS believes Sen. Daschle understands the critical health care issues and how IT can be leveraged to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care,” the society said in a statement.

– by Gene J. Koprowski, Editorial Director and Nancy Bruening, Executive Editor

Former Speaker Gingrich sees a major increase in health IT spending coming.