New HHS Rules Are Major Building Blocks In Effort To Create Interoperable Health Information Infrastructure

America's Health Insurance Plans'
(AHIP) President and CEO Karen Ignagni today issued the following statement
on the announcement of the final electronic health records technology and
e- prescribing rules amending the Stark and Anti-Kickback rules published
by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):


"One of the most important health care challenges the nation faces is
to create an integrated health information technology system. Today's HHS
announcement of final regulations is a major step toward that goal. We
believe these regulations will create a uniform template to support e-
prescribing and the creation of electronic health records. In addition, the
regulations will encourage the development of consumer-friendly, compatible
systems and discourage anticompetitive practices.


"This announcement shows that HHS has taken a strong position that
requirements for interoperability of systems improve quality of care,
protect patients and support consumer choice. This is in clear contrast
with legislation passed just last week by the House of Representatives that
will lead to the creation of incompatible health information technology
systems.


"We believe that these new exceptions to the Stark and Anti-Kickback
rules to expedite the exchange of technology throughout the health care
system now eliminate the need for Congress to act on this matter."



E America's Health Insurance Plans

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