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Bill in Congress Aims to Revise Meaningful Use Reporting Period

By: Nextech | April 25th, 2016

Bill in Congress Aims to Revise Meaningful Use Reporting Period Blog Feature

Congress is once again seeking changes to the Meaningful Use reporting process.Congress.jpg

The most recent attempt lies within bill H.R. 5001, which was introduced by Representative Renee Ellmers (R-NC). Also known as the Flexibility in EHR Reporting Act of 2016, the bill calls on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a 90-day reporting period for both eligible professionals and hospitals. This 90-day reporting period would replace the full-year reporting requirement.

In a press release from Wednesday, Congresswoman Ellmers minced no words on what she referred to as "the continued procrastination by CMS."

The continued procrastination by CMS to provide relief from the tough and inflexible deadlines within the Meaningful Use Program has prompted myself and Senator [Rob] Portman (R-Ohio) to rally our colleagues and take action. Today, I have introduced H.R. 5001 to deliver flexibility to hospitals and doctors facing stiff penalties from unmanageable requirements.

This isn't Rep. Ellmers' first attempt at replacing the reporting requirements for Meaningful Use. In January 2015, she also introduced the Flexibility in Health IT Reporting Act of 2015. The bill did not advance past the Subcommittee on Health.

Ellmers' latest bill is bi-partisan and co-sponsored by six Representatives - Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Rep. Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA).

With support from healthcare industry groups such as the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), bill H.R. 5001 will be referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Stay tuned to the Nextech blog for any updates.