Legislation would lessen regulatory burden for certain providers
Rep. Diana Black (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on March 21 to amend the HITECH Act to decrease regulatory burden for certain providers struggling to meet Meaningful Use requirements.
The Electronic Health Records Improvement Act (HR 1331) would create a hardship exemption for solo providers or physicians in and near retirement; shorten the gap between the performance period and application of penalty; expand options for participation in the incentive program, increase rural healthcare provider participation, tailor requirements to meet specific needs of certain penalties and establish an appeals process prior to levying penalties.
Rep. Black received endorsement in a March 19 letter from 20 medical associations, who cited a March 2011 Health Affairs study that estimated the total price tag of EHR implementation for a five-physician practice to be $233,297. “For small practices, the high cost of EHR adoption is not offset by existing financial incentives. To the contrary, practitioners face uncertainty regarding the value they will receive,” according to the letter.
The bill most recently was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means. For the latest status, go here.