Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3014, the Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act. 

Right now Congress is working to reform our health care system, where costs have skyrocketed in recent years.  By investing in health information technology initiatives, which include electronic medical records, we can reduce dangerous medical errors and administrative costs.  However, there are upfront costs involved with installing these systems, and this bill will help our doctors’ offices quickly acquire and implement this technology that will improve the delivery of health care to their patients. 

I would like to thank Congresswoman Dahlkemper for introducing H.R. 3014, as well as members who introduced the other small business investment bills brought up for consideration today.  In order to create jobs, we must look to small businesses, like physician offices, which make up 96 percent of employers in my home state of Rhode Island.  My constituents are struggling with the heavy burden of 13 percent unemployment, in a state whose recession began almost a year earlier than most of its neighbors, and the need for job creation could not be more urgent.  Many of the new jobs we need will be created through new investments to keep small businesses efficient and competitive, and that is why this legislation is so important. 

By looking at new business models, we will better target the needs of our communities.  We need to help our small businesses grow, keep people employed and train them for new, sustainable jobs.
 
American prosperity depends on the success of small businesses and the innovative spirit of the American people.  I am committed to bringing relief to Main Street and to the small businesses that are struggling in our state, and urge my colleagues to support this bill. 

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I yield back my time.