AHA Comments on Stage 2 Meaningful Use Requirements for EHR Incentive Programs

The American Hospital Association (AHA) expresses its concern that elements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule establishing stage 2 meaningful use requirements for the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program “would stand in the way of a successful program to support widespread adoption by all hospitals,” in April 30, 2012, comments submitted to CMS. In the comments, AHA notes that the vast majority of hospitals—more than 80%—have not yet met stage 1 requirements due to the high bar set by CMS and market factors such as accelerating costs and limited vendor capacity.