On Wednesday, National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal said the federal government would pay special attention to individual physicians and small group practices as it works to implement the health IT provisions of the federal economic stimulus package, CongressDaily reports.

Blumenthal testified before the House Small Business Regulations and Healthcare Subcommittee along with pediatricians, optometrists and other health care providers concerned about being left out of federal health IT incentive programs.

Under the stimulus package, beginning in 2011, physicians who demonstrate “meaningful use” of electronic health records could qualify for up to $44,000 in Medicare incentive payments. In 2015, the government will enact penalties for health care providers who have failed to demonstrate meaningful use.

About 21% of physicians currently use EHRs, but only 13% of small practices use the technology, CongressDaily reports.

Government To Aid Small Practices

Blumenthal said that Congress has created grant programs to establish regional extension centers that would help health care providers implement EHRs. He added that such extension centers would prioritize small physician practices and those providing primary care.

In addition, Blumenthal said HHS would establish listening sessions across the country to allow small practices to voice their concerns about the stimulus provisions.

Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.), chair of the subcommittee, said she introduced a bill in conjunction with the hearing that would establish a Small Business Association loan program aimed at health care providers who want to invest in health IT systems. She said such systems often cost $32,000 per physician (Noyes, Congress Daily, 6/25).

Study Says Many Small Practices Lack EHR Resources

Although small physician practices provide nearly 75% of the country’s ambulatory care, many of those practices lack sufficient resources to implement EHRs or improve their quality of care, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, HealthLeaders Media reports.

The report, titled “Supporting Small Practices: Lessons for Health Reform,” notes that small physician groups need significant support to adapt to the needs of a diversifying patient population.

The authors recommend boosting the capacity of small practices by:

• Improving staff training and development;
• Promoting networking opportunities;
• Providing educational materials, templates and tools; and
• Sharing staff and services (Commins, HealthLeaders Media, 6/24).

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