Bill would help small practices adopt healthcare IT

Everyone knows that small practices are most likely to struggle with health IT implementations. Apparently, at least some legislators are aware of this, with one introducing a bill last week that would help such practices manage the costs of rolling out these technologies. In so doing, they're addressing an issue that has been in play for years, but has seen little decisive action.

The Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), would establish a loan program administered through the Small Business Administration. Funds would be available specifically for doctors who want financing to invest in health IT.

The bill comes partly in response to a report by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, which notes that while small practices provide three quarters of U.S. ambulatory care, most lack the resources to implement EMRs, improve care quality or serve diverse populations.

To find out more about the bill:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece [1]

Related Articles:
Editor's Corner: Don't underestimate small practices [2]
Report: Health IT stimulus may not be enough [3]