ARRA

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On February 17th, 2009 ARRA, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, became law. The Health Information Technology Economy and Clinical Health (HITECH) act is that part (Division A: title XIII, title XXX; Division B: title IV) of ARRA which encourages adoption of comprehensive electronic medical records (EMR) systems by physicians and hospitals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 90 of physicians and 70 percent of hospitals will use these systems by 2020 due to this legislation. The following sections summarize the major points of HITECH.

Establishment of ONCHIT Within the Department of Health and Human services, the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology will oversee the development of national health IT infrastructure and its requisite standards. (sections 13101 and 3000-3007) "The National Coordinator shall maintain and frequently update an Internet website on which there is posted information on the work, schedules, reports, recommendations, and other information to ensure transparency in promotion of a nationwide health information infrastructure."

Defining the Qualified Elctronic Health Record Such systems contain health information including medical history and problem lists, patient demographics, clinical decision support, physician order entry support, quality reporting support, and data exchange with other electronic sources.

Financial Incentives HITECH provides $19 Billion in potential incentives to physicians and hospitals for "meaningful use" of certified EMR systems. $2 Billion is available as grants and loans to support health information technology research and development of a national health IT network (sections 13301 and 3013-3015.)

Financial Penalties

Privacy and Security HITECH gives states' attorneys general the authority to prosecute HIPAA violations (section 13410).


References: "Public Law 111-5" available at www.frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_public_laws&docid=fpubl005.111.pdf (retrieved 2/28/2010)

"Title IV-Health Information Economic and Clinical Health Act" available at: www.waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/110/hit2.pdf (retrieved 2/28/2010)

Submitted by Andy Glass