In the 109th Congress, a flurry of legislative proposals were introduced that tried to define the federal role in speeding the adoption of HIT. ACP was particularly supportive of the bipartisan bill, H.R. 747, the "National Health Information Incentive Act," sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Charles Gonzalez because it specifically targeted physicians in solo and small practices for which assistance could provide the most benefit. The Gonzalez legislation would have built into the Medicare physician payment system an add-on code for office visits -- a critical element to support HIT adoption. Under the Gonzalez bill, these fees would be triggered if the procedure or service was facilitated by HIT.

"To achieve immediate quality and healthcare savings through HIT," Dr. Kirk concluded, "Congress must recognize the significant financial barriers for solo and small practices. It must offer creative solutions to stimulate adoption of HIT where most Americans receive health care - in offices of 1-5 physicians."


The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 120,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internists specialize in the prevention, detection and treatment of illness in adults.

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