Associations welcome renewed Flex-IT Act

Legislators have reintroduced the Flexibility in Health IT Reporting (Flex-IT) Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill granting the nation's healthcare providers additional flexibility in meeting Meaningful Use (MU) requirements through a shortened reporting period in 2015. Swift action by Congress is needed to help providers already in the 2015 reporting year for Meaningful Use, several healthcare organizations said who also praised the bill.

Officials from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Hospital Association (AHA), American Medical Association (AMA), College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) applaud the leadership shown by bill sponsor Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) and a bipartisan list of original cosponsors, including Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ron Kind (D-Wisc.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and David Scott (D-Ga.).

"We commend the leadership demonstrated by a bipartisan group of House Members on this critically important issue," said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. "With such across-the-aisle support, Congress has underscored how fundamental this program is to the future of healthcare in the U.S.

"While CHIME remains committed to the success of Meaningful Use, and to making sure improved patient care is the program's lasting legacy, we believe significant changes are needed to address increased dissatisfaction with EHRs and growing disenchantment with the program," Branzell added. "This bill, if passed, would begin that much-needed course correction."

The Flex-IT Act was introduced last September following a national joint call to action. This new Flex-IT Act of 2015 would adjust the MU reporting timeline, giving providers the option to choose any three-month quarter for EHR reporting in 2015.

"America's hospitals are strongly committed to the adoption of EHRs, because of their potential to increase the quality of care and reduce costs for patients," said Rick Pollack, AHA executive vice president. "The healthcare field is faced with many major challenges and changes, all hitting at the same time. We need to be practical and responsible in terms of implementation timetables. That's why hospitals need flexibility. This legislation is a positive first step toward ensuring the program is a success, and America's hospitals look forward to working to achieve its passage."

"Our nation needs a more efficient, cost-effective and patient-centered healthcare system. HIMSS applauds the efforts taken by these Congressional leaders and fully supports the Flexibility in Health IT Reporting (Flex-IT) Act of 2015 as essential to giving providers and hospitals a realistic chance to meet the 2015 Meaningful Use requirements," said Carla Smith, MA, CNM, FHIMSS, executive vice president, HIMSS North America.