Author Archive

Nancy Ferris

Nancy Ferris is senior editor of Government Health IT.
Digital Government

Feds collaborate on NHIN interface

The free software will be available to the public in March, an ONC official said.

People

OMB sponsors online discussion of privacy issues

Stakeholders are invited to join in the discussion hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration.

Digital Government

Shortliffe will succeed Detmer at AMIA

University of Arizona professor is named president and CEO of American Medical Informatics Association, effective July 2009.

People

Massachusetts requires EHRs in hospitals by 2015

Health care cost containment bill also creates a way to develop a statewide HIE and promotes health IT in other ways.

People

PHRs will automatically contain Medicare data in CMS pilot program

A project in Arizona and Utah will test the value of online PHRs that might include information such as prescriptions and lab results.

Digital Government

Also in the news: E-heath records for Calif. farmworkers

A state-funded project will help migrant workers take their medical records with them as they travel throughout California.

Digital Government

House committee approves major health IT bill

Privacy issues are at the forefront as Energy and Commerce Committee approves bill to promote EHRs and health information exchanges.

Digital Government

Law will boost e-prescribing, HHS secretary says

Despite the president's veto of the recent Medicare bill, officials say the administration supports the legislation's e-prescribing incentives.

Digital Government

Medicare bill rewards providers for e-prescribing

Beginning in October, doctors would get bonuses for using e-prescribing and face fee reductions if they don't adopt the technology by 2012.

Digital Government

Process for standing up the AHIC successor becomes clearer

An 18-member board is likely to be announced at the end of September.

Digital Government

One nationwide network will support e-prescribing

SureScripts and RxHub are merging to provide comprehensive services to doctors and pharmacies.

Digital Government

DEA proposes rules to allow e-prescribing of controlled substances

Agency solicits public comments on its plans for heavy-duty security in all systems and third-party ID verification.

Digital Government

ONC budget not likely to increase

Both houses of Congress are considering appropriations bills that would hold spending by the health IT office near this year's level.

Digital Government

D.C. RHIO will be connected by Microsoft Amalga

Association of clinics selects product developed and used at local hospitals.

Digital Government

Privacy provisions threaten health IT bill

A House subcommittee has approved H.R. 6357, but some lawmakers say its privacy protections are too broad.

Digital Government

E-prescribing of controlled drugs could be allowed soon

The Drug Enforcement Administration plans to propose a rule change that would lift requirements for paper prescriptions for painkillers and other potentially dangerous drugs.

Digital Government

Feud erupts over forecasts of health IT's long-term costs

Rand Corp. and Congressional Budget Office publicly criticize one another's analyses.

Digital Government

4 percent of U.S. doctors use EHRs, new study finds

Study's authors say they are troubled by the results of their survey, which shows minimal increase in usage.

Digital Government

To help consumers, CMS will rate nursing homes

Nursing homes will get up to five stars in a new, easy-to-grasp format for CMS' Web site.

Digital Government

Voice-recognition tool aids battlefield doctors

The technology reduces the time spent documenting surgery and other care provided to wounded service members.