Electronic Medical Record Policy and the Future of Health Care in the United States
Abstract
The federal government has committed over $20 billion
for the specific purpose of encouraging the adoption of
electronic medical records (EMRs). Though the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers reimbursement
for early adopters, many medical professionals find that
this does not cover recurring maintenance and labor
costs. In an effort to avoid the high costs and
inconveniences of EMR adoption, many medical
professionals are choosing to leave private practices. The
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expands health
insurance coverage to millions of Americans, but not
without changes to the organization of the health care
industry. The inclusion of policies pertaining to electronic
medical records in major pieces of legislation is a major
factor in the changing structure of the health care market.