On Wednesday, National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal said health IT standards development will be a cornerstone of national health care reform, Healthcare IT News reports.
Blumenthal spoke during a meeting of the Health IT Standards Committee.
He called for the standards panel to continue promoting health IT standards and specifications as they move closer to defining "meaningful use" of electronic health records.
Health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs will qualify for incentive payments under the federal economic stimulus package.
Blumenthal also discussed federal efforts to expand the Nationwide Health Information Network and improve its interoperability.
He told committee members that the government aims to promote NHIN as a public resource for all stakeholders seeking to exchange health data efficiently, quickly and securely (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 10/14).