Political Quotes

“H.R. 1 provides critical incentives for the adoption of meaningful EMR technology. Adoption of this technology is essential to improving care and reducing costs. Michigan hospitals have been at the forefront of critical advances in health information technology such as e-prescribing and developing an Electronic Medical Record. In fact, its ambulatory sites have been paperless for almost 5 years. Many of my hospitals are spending significant resources in this difficult economic environment to convert their hospital records to electronic format and upgrade EMRs to contain Clinical Practice Guidelines. Section 4201 (a)(1)(C) of the bill seeks to prevent double payments by excluding certain physicians who practice substantially in hospital settings and use hospital-owned EMR equipment. To clarify the intent of this section, the bill lists specific examples of hospital-based professionals to be excluded. This makes sense. But I am concerned that this language may also inadvertently exclude many physician group practices associated with hospitals may not qualify for EMR incentives under H.R. 1.”