National eHealth Collaborative Statement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:

"There is clear agreement within the health community that the broad adoption and effective use of interoperable electronic health records (EHRs) is an essential foundation for significant health system reform and improved health quality and safety. The National eHealth Collaborative applauds the significant steps taken by Congress and the Obama Administration in this legislation to ensure the utilization of an EHR for each American by 2014.

The health information technology provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act strongly encourages "broad stakeholder input" and "full participation of stakeholders" in the process of identifying and recommending strategies for accelerated adoption and use of health information technology (IT). It also offers opportunities for the National eHealth Collaborative to continue its close partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC). [See Section 3008(b)]
The National eHealth Collaborative looks forward to continuing to build on the momentum, trust, and leadership that has been established. We stand ready to work actively and collaboratively with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and all health stakeholders to address issues that stand in the way of the improved quality, safety, efficiency and accessibility of healthcare across America that is made possible by an effective use of health information technologies."

Ed note: the stimulus plan allocates about $20 billion for health IT.

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