Congress considers another HIT subsidy bill

Proposals to help doctors pay for EMRs and other cool patient care technology have bounced around the Hill for years now--but maybe this one will be the ticket. Members of the House's Committee on Energy and Commerce proposed a bill last week to help doctors pay for HIT, as well as to improve patient privacy protections. This effort would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a roadmap for the federal government's role in healthcare IT adoption, while clarifying and strengthening patient privacy requirements.

Specifically, the draft proposal would give small group practices financial aid for acquiring healthcare IT, especially those in rural or medically-underserved areas, and provide federal subsidizes for low-interest private loans enabling HIT purchases. It also would support the development of RHIOs.

To learn more about the proposal:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece

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