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EMR systems get preliminary OK for stimulus fund eligibility

Three electronic medical record systems have received a stamp of approval from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, which said the EMRs' users can be eligible to receive federal funding from the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year.

The three products for physicians approved by CCHIT are: eHealth Made Easy, by the firm of the same name; KIS Track, by Kaulkin Information Systems; and Medios, by IOS Health Systems. These firms now can offer their certified products to physicians who wish to implement EMR technology and become "meaningful users" in time for the first round of stimulus incentives in 2012, CCHIT said.

The certifications are considered preliminary because the Dept. of Health and Human Services has not yet determined the official definitions of meaningful use, the prerequisite for EMR bonuses. But federal certification means a system is able to achieve minimum requirements for security, privacy and interoperability.

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Primary care in New Orleans still under stress

Federal grants to support primary care in the greater New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina have helped retain or hire dozens of primary care health professionals and support care for more than 250,000 patients. But that situation could change soon, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Many of the 25 community health centers and other outpatient facilities that received part of a $100 million primary care access and stabilization grant from the Dept. of Health and Human Services say they may have to cut back services drastically when the funding expires on Sept. 30, 2010, said a Dec. 2 GAO report.

At least 20 of the 25 New Orleans primary care outpatient facilities that received part of the 2007 grant used at least a portion of it to hire or retain primary care professionals, the GAO found. But the same 20 organizations estimate there will be a $30 million funding gap when the federal funding expires, which could lead some facilities to close and others to cut services by 30% to 40%.

The GAO report can be accessed online (www.gao.gov/products/gao-10-273t).

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Two more states pursue medical marijuana legislation

New Jersey and Pennsylvania could join about 13 other states that allow patients with debilitating health conditions to use medical marijuana with a physician's recommendation.

A medical marijuana bill passed the New Jersey Senate in November and heads to the Assembly, while a Pennsylvania House committee on Dec. 1 heard testimony on a similar measure. Governors in both states have expressed support for the legislation.

The bills follow an October statement by the U.S. Attorney General's Office that prosecutors are unlikely to pursue patients who comply with state laws, despite a federal ban on marijuana.

The Medical Society of New Jersey relaxed its opposition to the state bill after lawmakers removed provisions requiring doctors to certify the risks and benefits of medical marijuana. But physicians still have some concerns about a perceived lack of restrictions on patients' access to marijuana.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society has not taken a position on the state measure, but it pointed lawmakers to American Medical Association policy calling for further research into medical marijuana's efficacy.

This content was published online only.

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