Calif. Lawmakers Send Letters to CMS, ONC Supporting Meaningful Use Rules To Reduce Health Disparities

In a letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner and National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo, 24 California lawmakers expressed support for using Stage 3 of the meaningful use program to reduce health disparities. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments. The letter recommends that CMS develops more comprehensive and inclusive data collection standards and ensures that patients can access their health data on smartphone devices.

• "House Lawmakers Push Sebelius To Reduce Health Disparities" (Manos, Government Health IT, 3/7).
• "Calif. Legislators Seek Help for LGBT Population Through Meaningful Use" (Walsh, Clinical Innovation & Technology, 3/6).