NAPH member Denver Health Participates in HIT Policy Committee Meeting - November 9, 2009

Dr. Andrew Steele, Director of Medical Informatics at Denver Health, testified before the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee on October 28, 2009. In his testimony, Dr. Steele addressed the unique challenges that safety net providers face in implementing “meaningful use” measures. These challenges include a heavy reliance upon Medicaid reimbursement, which has declined in recent years, leaving safety net providers with fewer resources to adopt HIT. Dr. Steele urged that the federal government establish strict guidance directing state distribution of Medicaid HIT incentive payments to ensure that states cannot reduce other state funds in the process. Dr. Steele’s testimony is available here.