On Monday, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 11 through Sept. 16 as National Health IT Week for the foreseeable future, Healthcare IT News reports.
Obama issued the proclamation in conjunction with the sixth annual National Health IT Week, a collaborative event hosted by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. The presidential proclamation gives official federal recognition to the week (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 9/12).
In the proclamation, Obama said, "I urge all Americans to learn more about the benefits of health IT by visiting HealthIT.gov, take action to increase adoption and meaningful use of health IT and utilize the information health IT provides to improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of healthcare in the United States."
Progress Report on Meaningful Use Program
Also on Monday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reported that as of this week, 80,000 health care providers had signed up to receive incentive payments for the meaningful use of health IT.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.
In addition, Sebelius noted that about 70% of primary care physicians in rural communities have signed agreements with regional extension centers. The stimulus package called for the creation of RECs to advise health care providers on adopting EHRs and offer other IT consulting services.
Sebelius said the fact that so many rural physicians have signed up with RECs is "an indication that they are eager to get that [health IT] help on the ground" (Daly, Modern Healthcare, 9/12).