NYTimes: Doctors and Hospitals Say Goals on Computerized Records Are Unrealistic; “Early summer” is the real story
“Final rules will be out in early summer,” according to Jonathan D. Blum, deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as quoted in Robert Pear’s June 8, 2010 story in the New York Times, “Doctors and Hospitals Say Goals on Computerized Records Are Unrealistic.”

For several months, National Coordinator for Healthcare IT David Blumenthal has been saying that the final rules for certification of EHR systems (from ONC) and the final EHR incentives (from CMS) would come out in “late spring” 2010, which means prior to June 21. ONC and CMS have been working closely together on these two rules.

The quote by the deputy administrator of CMS appears to be setting the stage for finalization of rules to come June 21 (first day of summer) or later. Perhaps this New York Times story is actually setting the stage for some more flexibility in the final definitions and timing of “meaningful use” requirements.  Folks from Intermountain, Kaiser, and Partners Healthcare System in Boston, are quoted as saying too much change is expected in too short a time, and these are people who are way ahead of the curve.