Letter to Michael Leavitt on his Nomination as Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services

January 3, 2005

Michael Leavitt, Administrator
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Mr. Leavitt:

Congratulations on your nomination as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. As both a private citizen and AHIMA's CEO, I look forward to your leadership on important healthcare and quality of life issues that mean so much to our families and communities. I know from our past work with you while Governor of Utah that you understand the urgent need to move our health care system into the information age as a means to improving safety, cost effectiveness, access and public health.

Much progress has been made since you attended our convention in San Francisco in September 2002 and, as we enter this New Year, there is an unprecedented amount of activity and public/private collaboration surrounding the widespread adoption of interoperable electronic health records. A delegation from AHIMA's Board of Directors will be in Washington DC on March 17-18 and we would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss AHIMA's key initiatives in this area and to extend our best wishes in person.

Congratulations again on your nomination and I look forward to the chance to work with you in your new role.

Yours truly,

Linda L. Kloss, RHIA, CAE
Chief Executive Officer