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The chief federal information technology policymaker stopped short of denouncing a recently released CMS proposed rule that patient-engagement advocates say is a step backward for their cause. Instead, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, said she hopes a “call to action” by her predecessor seeking to pressure the CMS to walk back the proposed rule change encourages more patients to seek access to their electronic health records. (Conn, 4/15)

The federal government has poured nearly $30 billion into modernizing the health care industry by incentivizing hospitals to shift to digital health records. The idea is for health providers to be able share a person’s vital health information with doctors and hospitals others across the country – when someone moves, when they travel, no matter where they are. While about 62 percent of all U.S. health providers have adopted the technology, very few can actually share their digital files with other hospitals and providers - a feature that is required in order to receive financial incentives from the government. (Ehley, 4/15)