• TMA opposes the “all or nothing” em- phasis in the core program.
To read TMA’s comment letter, visit
www.texmed.org/EHRIncentive. The AMA’s comment letter (http://
bit.ly/13vyGKW)outlined the following top-five concerns and recommendations to improve the meaningful use program:
• An evaluation process is lacking. An external, independent evaluation is necessary to improve and inform the future of the program.
• One hundred-percent pass rate is not the right approach. The pass rate should be reasonable and achievable. Failing to meet just one measure by 1 percent would make a physician in- eligible for incentives and subject to financial penalties.
• One size does not fit all. Program requirements should be better struc- tured to accommodate various prac- tice patterns and specialties.
• Usability of certified EHRs should be addressed. The EHR certification pro- cess should address physician usabil- ity concerns.
• Health IT infrastructure barriers should be resolved. The health IT infrastructure does not enable physi- cians to readily electronically share patient data with other health care providers; infrastructure improve- ment to allow an efficient and secure electronic information exchange must be a priority.
“The AMA shares the administration’s
goal of widespread EHR adoption and use, but we again stress our continuing concern that the meaningful use pro- gram is moving forward without a com- prehensive evaluation of previous stages to resolve existing problems,” said AMA Board Chair Steven J. Stack, MD. “A full evaluation of past stages and more flex- ible program requirements will help phy- sicians in different specialties and prac- tice arrangements successfully adopt and use EHRs.” n
Crystal Conde is associate editor of Texas Medicine. You can reach her by telephone at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1385, or (512) 370-1385; by fax at (512) 370-1629; or by email at
crystal.conde@
texmed.org.
The Texas Medical Association Council on Health Care Quality and TMF Health Quality Institute are excited to host the NEW TexMed 2013 Quality Poster Session.
This is a great opportunity for Texas practices to share quality improvement successes and best practices for improving patient care. All TMA member physicians and their practices are encouraged to apply.
• First-, second-, and third-place winners will receive special recognition at TexMed 2013 and in Texas Medicine, TMA’s monthly magazine.
• All selected submissions will be listed in Texas Medicine magazine.
• All selected submissions will receive a modest honorarium.
TEXMED 2013
QUALITY POSTER SESSION DETAILS
WHERE:
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX
WHEN: TexMed 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013 HOW:
Contact
posters@texmed.org for more information and an application packet.
CALL FOR POSTERS
Capital Medical Clinic seeking
Board Certified Internist Outpatient Care Only
Interested Candidates please submit your CV to Mr. Pete Hager at
phager@capmedaustin.com March 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 45
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