Definition of ARRA Meaningful Use Clause is Topic of April 28 Meeting

April 22, 2009 – There has been a lot of debate as to what the meaning of “meaningful use” is in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the definition will be discussed at the April 28-29 meeting of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics Executive Sub-Committee.

ARRA, commonly known as the stimulus bill, is providing billions in funding for electronic medical records (EMRs), but one of the tests to qualify for money is “meaningful use” of the EMR technology. Currently no clear federal definition exists to explain what qualifies. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a hearing to help formulate the definition.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. EST and will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008.

The hearing will be broadcast live on the Internet.

For more information: www.ncvhs.hhs.gov/090428ag.htm