AMIA Urges Congressional Action to Eliminate Barriers to Patient Identification

Through the Patient ID Now coalition, AMIA along with over 150 healthcare organizations urge Congress to remove Section 510 from the FY2026 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill, which bans funding for a national unique patient identifier. This outdated provision hinders patient safety, contributes to medical errors, and causes costly inefficiencies—totaling over $6.7 billion annually. It also compromises privacy through data mismatches and overlays. Repealing the ban would allow HHS to work with the private sector to develop secure, scalable identification solutions, advancing interoperability and patient-centered care. Bipartisan support has grown in recent years, and stakeholders emphasize the urgent need for accurate, nationwide patient matching.