High-tech and healthcare stakeholders monitoring the implementation of economic stimulus package provisions intended to spur a nationwide network of electronic health records will have their first look Tuesday at what might constitute "meaningful use" of health IT products. A subgroup of the Health and Human Services Department's health IT policy committee will unveil a report on the topic and the full panel will deliberate. The paper will also be released for a formal public comment period and recommendations will ultimately be sent to David Blumenthal, the Obama administration's health IT coordinator. Final HHS guidance will let healthcare providers know how they can qualify for incentives included in the $19 billion section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
In related news, President Obama spoke on Monday about the importance of moving away from a paper-based healthcare system. He told the annual meeting of the American Medical Association it does not make sense that patients in the 21st century are "still filling out forms with pens on papers that have to be stored away somewhere." "As Newt Gingrich has rightly pointed out -- and I don't quote Newt Gingrich that often -- we do a better job tracking a FedEx package in this country than we do tracking patients' health records," Obama said. He went on to say that patients should not have to tell every new doctor about their medical history nor should they have to endure repeats of costly tests. "All that information should be stored securely in a private medical record," he said.
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Responded on October 26, 2009 7:16 PM
Frank
I think having a National health care program is a bad idea. I work for a direct hire employment firm and I know many people want free health care but nothing is free. Our taxes will be increased, how much more can the middle wage worker take? We know the rich wont pay for it.
Responded on October 21, 2009 5:26 PM
Joe Miller
The current health care problems have been driving me crazy. Are these people crazy? Everythime the Government does something they mess it up. Last weekend I went to shoot my airsoft guns to relieve some stress. These days you need to have an outlet to avoid from going crazy. I think that health care should be a private matter between doctors and patients.
Responded on October 5, 2009 7:34 PM
Amanda
I think healthcare should stay in the private sector and the govt should stay out of healhcare. Then you never know whats going to happen next. I love my country but I just think some things should be seperate. It seems to be one thing after another.
Elektro und Alarmanlagen Berlin
Responded on October 5, 2009 1:16 AM
Claudia
I think the more we put on computers the more we lose our privacy. We dont know if the Govt is accessing these records or not. I have a catholic courier award winning newspaper and I keep the information about my employes very secret. Its really sad what we are doing to our country. I dont know how the govt will pay the bills without rasing taxes.
Responded on October 4, 2009 1:20 AM
Johnny
I think our country is trying to destroy itself. We cant even manage our money without being in debt. Its actually very sad since so many people died for America and we are just letting all of this happen in our face.
Golfreisen
Responded on August 13, 2009 2:53 PM
Gillian
There are words to say about this, but the catalog of obamas mistakes is ever growing. Its clear to see this now.
Responded on August 7, 2009 1:14 PM
Steve
The Obama adminstration is revamping the healthcare industry. The healthcare expenses faced by singles in San Diego are pretty high. Its great to see Obama restructuring the health network which will pay off well in the long run.
Responded on August 7, 2009 1:13 PM
Steve
The Obama adminstration is revamping the healthcare industry. The healthcare expenses faced by singles in San Diego are pretty high. Its great to see Obama restructuring the health network which will pay off well in the long run.