Public Input Shaped the Guiding Principles for Stage 2 Meaningful Use NPRM

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released two notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) related to Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs that detail proposed Meaningful Use requirements for providers and the Standards & Certification Criteria (S&CC) that delineate proposed requirements for certified EHR products.

The vast majority of the proposed criteria derive from the two federal advisory committees that have been lauded as a model for public, open, and transparent policy making processes. The proposed rulemaking continues to reflect HHS’ desire to create ambitious, but achievable goals that enable eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to continue progress in adopting and implementing electronic health records (EHRs). The proposed rules focus on using EHRs to improve health and health care while reducing the burden on physicians and hospitals where possible. Many of these “north stars” came through loud and clear in both the Health Information Technology Policy Committee (HITPC) and the Health Information Technology Standards Committee (HITSC) recommendations, as well as public input through the committees. The proposed rulemaking sets ambitious requirements designed to improve health and health care. Every objective in meaningful use aligns with the National Quality Strategy, a framework the Department released in March 2011 that provides a clear roadmap for getting to better health, greater affordability, and better health care.