Chairman Stark Holds Hearing on Efforts to Promote the Adoption and Meaningful Use of Health Information Technology
Videos of Hearing Witnesses (and related PDFs of opening statements) and Statement of Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-CA)David Blumenthal M.D., National Coordinator for Health IT
Video Testimony (pdf)
–Tony Trenkle, Director, Ofc of e-Health Standards and Services, CMS
Video Testimony (pdf)
Panel Two
–Christine Bechtel, VP, National Partnership for Women and Families
Video plus Link to PDF
–Phyllis Teater, CIO, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
Video plus Link to PDF
–Eugene Heslin M.D., Saugerties, New York
Video plus Link to PDF
–Charles W. Jarvis, Vice Chair, HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA)
Video plus Link to PDF
–Jonathan P. Hare, Chairman, Resilient Network Systems, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Video plus Link to PDF
Opening Statement of Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA)
Committee on Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on Efforts to Promote the Adoption and Meaningful Use of Health Information Technology
“Last year, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress passed landmark legislation originated in our Committee and designed to spur the implementation and use of health information technology. Widespread adoption of Health IT is central to fully realizing the benefits of delivery system reforms, comparative effectiveness research, and improving the quality and value of medical care.
“Today’s hearing is intended to review the steps taken by the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the law. Specifically, the Department issued a final rule last week defining ‘meaningful use’ of Health IT. This definition is very important as the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments – and eventually payment cuts for those who do not adopt or use Health IT – are linked to the meaningful use criteria.
“When HHS issued their preliminary regulations, many providers reacted negatively, complaining that the standards put forth for meaningful use were so high that providers would not be able to meet them using existing technology. The whole purpose of the HITECH Act is to push providers to do more with health IT and do it faster, but it is also important to take a balanced approach so that in our zeal to get to our destination, we don’t leave providers on the sidelines.
“In my opinion, HHS took a responsible position in the final rule. The standards are aggressive, but set realistic goals. I know some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle think HHS modified the regulation too much. To all of us, I suggest we listen to the testimony of our government panel and our stakeholders panel with open minds and use this hearing to learn more about why HHS changed the final rule as they did and to understand all the promise that can come out of these advances in health IT adoption.
“Again, widespread adoption and meaningful use of Health IT is of paramount importance if we are to move our health system forward to improve quality and outcomes and slow the rate of cost growth. I look forward to hearing from our distinguished panel of experts and thank them in advance for being willing to make their voices heard on this important topic.”
Excerpted from original July 13, 2010 Release from House Ways and Means site.
“House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) announced today that the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on promoting the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology. The hearing will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in the main committee hearing room, 1100 Longworth House Office Building.”
“In view of the limited time available to hear witnesses, oral testimony at this hearing will be from invited witnesses only. However, any individual or organization not scheduled for an oral appearance may submit a written statement for consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing.”
BACKGROUND
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (P.L. 111-5), signed into law on February 17, 2009, included the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. The HITECH Act promotes adoption of health information technology (health IT) among hospitals, doctors, and healthcare providers. Health IT makes use of electronic health records (EHR) and other technologies to facilitate the ordering of tests or medications, aid in clinical decision making, and allow for secure data sharing among providers.
“The HITECH Act includes several components that take important steps to increase adoption and use of health IT. First, it codifies the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and charges that office with developing and implementing a nationwide plan to guide the adoption of health IT. The legislation also authorizes $2 billion to fund programs designed to stimulate the spread of health IT, including grants to help set up regional health information exchanges and train health IT workforce. HITECH also established a program that will provide incentive payments through Medicare and Medicaid to doctors and hospitals who demonstrate “meaningful use” of a certified EHR system.
“Last month, ONCHIT announced the process for certifying whether a given EHR product meets the standards needed to achieve meaningful use. On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the rules for the Medicare and Medicaid incentive program that will reward hospitals and doctors who are meaningfully using a certified product. The hearing will provide an opportunity for the Administration to update the Subcommittee on implementation of the HITECH Act, and give stakeholders a chance to share their views on the Administration’s efforts to date.
“In announcing the hearing Chairman Stark said, “This will be our first opportunity to get an update on the roll out of incentives aimed at increasing adoption and use of health information technology. Widespread adoption of health IT has enormous potential to improve health quality, reduce adverse outcomes and facilitate communication with patients, while reducing overall health care costs. We are eager to hear from the Administration and stakeholders about how the program is progressing.” ”
FOCUS OF THE HEARING:
“The hearing will focus on efforts to promote the adoption of health information technology, specifically through Medicare incentives designed to encourage the meaningful use of electronic health records.”
