The Flex-IT Act was presented to Congress during its last session and reduced the Stage 2 Meaningful Use reporting period down to three months. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) recently re-introduced the bill, with backing from the bill’s co-sponsor Rep Ron Wind (D-WI).
Ellmers has shown strong support for the need of healthcare providers to have flexibility when it comes to meeting HHS deadlines. She advocates that the reintroduction of the Flex-IT Act will help provide a bit more leeway on deadlines when it comes to time constraints that are always put on doctors and hospitals. Ellmers also goes on to say that she believes the Stage 2 Meaningful attestation numbers released last year were “dreadful” and is working to make a change.
The healthcare industry backs Ellmers’ decision to introduce the bill again by showing almost unanimous support, notably those from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, College of Healthcare information Management Executives (CHIME), and more.
The HHS rule for the Stage 2 reporting bill was said to have been written quickly and published far too fast. And organizations in the healthcare industry aren’t afraid to voice their agreement with this and are behind the change in the reporting time frame.
CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell recently released a statement saying, “With such across-the-isle support, Congress has underscored how fundamental this program is to the future of healthcare in the U.S. While CHIME remains committed to the success of Meaningful Use, and to making sure improved patient care is the program’s lasting legacy, we believe significant changes are needed to address increased dissatisfaction with EHRs and growing disenchantment with the program. This bill, if passed, would begin that much-needed course correction.”