Difference between revisions of "ARRA"

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Submitted by Andy Glass
 
Submitted by Andy Glass
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Revision as of 07:26, 1 March 2010

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."

The HIT Policy Committee Section 3002

The HIT Standards Committee Section 3003

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. Specific criteria for "certification" are to be developed by the National Coordinator in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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 Per section 3006, private entities, including government contractors, are not required to implement meaningful use of certified EMR. However, The National Coordinator may assess a "nominal fee" for the adoption by health care provider of a certified EMR or for provding such technology. Privacy and Security HITECH gives states' attorneys general the authority to prosecute HIPAA violations (section 13410). HITECH takes into account the HIPAA laws pertaining to health information standards and implementation.


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