Rep. Kennedy to re-file PHR incentive bill

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) has announced plans to re-file a bill that would set up a mechanism to give physicians up to $3 for each of their patients that create a personal health record. The payments would come from a fund drawing dollars from the Medicare trust fund, as well as money from health plans, pharmaceutical companies and medical device firms.

Under the terms of his bill, HHS would publish a list of qualifying physicians online. The agency would also develop a list of requirements specifying which PHRs were qualified. 

Rep. Kennedy's preliminary criteria include that the PHR must be controlled exclusively by the patient; must be able to exchange clinical data with other sources; must be capable of sending patient-specific educational messages, and reminders as well as clinical messages; and must be able to share de-identified data for public analysis and research purposes.

To find out more about the bill:
- read this iHealthBeat item

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