Many people recognize how valuable it will be to connect electronic medical records (EHRs) and government health programs. There are examples where information (prevention schedules, assessments, etc.) can be delivered into EHRs and where information can flow in and out of EHRs (immunization histories, lifetime military records, etc.).
The fervor over health insurance reform and electronic medical records in the HITECH Act seems to have sucked all the oxygen away from health information technology that is not about direct patient care.
The HITECH stimulus funds have created great buzz in health and health IT. Providers are contemplating electronic medical record (EMR) implementations, vendors are scurrying to be "meaningful use" compliant, and states and others are planning for Medicaid, health information exchange, training and other related services.
