Converting health records to electronic form is the focus of a new law.
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), the law aligns state requirements to match federal stimulus requirements in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act.
The law will help pull down federal money to state providers by aligning definitions such as “interoperable electronic health record” and “qualified electronic health record” to ensure coordination between state, regional and national efforts to effectively use health technology to improve coordination and patient care among providers. The change could help reduce medical errors, improve population health and reduce health disparities and chronic disease.
The HITECH Act was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help providers create electronic health records that would be interchangeable between health systems.
The health commissioner, in conjunction with an e-Health Initiative Advisory Committee, will monitor related national activity and coordinate statewide input on developments.
The law has various effective dates.
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At Issue: Medical marijuana
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Minnesota Index: Less lighting up
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