Healthcare IT is a rocket ride under the new stimulus package

Never has there been a time when healthcare IT has garnered this much attention from Washington, this much money from the federal government and this much opportunity to advance.

In a recent meeting, Certification Commission for Health Information Technology Chair Mark Leavitt aptly called it "a rocket ride."

If you haven't delved into the depths of the 407-page stimulus package, you might be missing out on some vital details. If nothing else, experts from all quarters say, do not wait to adopt healthcare IT. There is $19 billion to be had, and you will need time to get your system up and running, collecting data in a meaningful way before the 2011 deadline. You will also need as much time as possible to do the very difficult work of adapting workflow prior to implementing new technology.

The stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is not only kicking up adoption activity, it is calling for new advisory committees, and laying down stipulations about adoption, many of which still need to be determined when the new Department of Health and Human Services secretary is confirmed for the Obama administration.

There is more beyond ARRA. President Obama has challenged Congress to get healthcare reform into law by the end of 2009. Recently, Senate leaders have upped that ante and are shooting for the end of June. Healthcare IT would be included in any healthcare reform plan. Not only has the president called for nationwide use of electronic health records by 2014, but he has made healthcare IT one of his cornerstones for reform.

A recent report by Avalere Health concluded that healthcare IT is too costly for solo and small physician practices. It suggests that they might be better off postponing adoption than trying to adopt IT to earn bonuses under the stimulus package.

Perhaps Avalere's advice is correct. But from where I sit, the rocket is indeed humming on the launching pad and ready to take off. It is only a matter of time until all practitioners will be using healthcare IT. And, it is also highly likely that other healthcare payers will jump on the bandwagon and follow Medicare and Medicaid healthcare IT requirements for reimbursement.