$1.1 Billion for Comparative Effectiveness Research

It's hard to imagine $1.1 billion. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 created the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research to coordinate comparative effectiveness research across the Federal government. The Council will specifically make recommendations for the $400 million allocated to the Office of the Secretary for CER.

ARRA provides:

• $300 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• $400 million for the National Institutes of Health, and
• $400 million for the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services

These funds are to support research assessing the comparative effectiveness of health care treatments and strategies, through efforts that:

1. Conduct, support, or synthesize research that compares the clinical outcomes, effectiveness, and appropriateness of items, services, and procedures that are used to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases, disorders, and other health conditions.
2. Encourage the development and use of clinical registries, clinical data networks, and other forms of electronic health data that can be used to generate or obtain outcomes data.

So, that totals to $1.1 billion. Wow!  So, how many groups and organizations are going after this money?  Here's a link to the HHS.gov website where you can read about Sec. 804. Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Is COBRA the best option for the unemployed?

Earlier this year, the government provided assistance to people who lost jobs in 2009 by paying for a portion of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health insurance premium. Having the government pay 65% doesn't last forever, so those who lose their jobs in 2010 will have to pay 100% of the COBRA premium.

Will COBRA be the best option for people in 2010? Or, will alternative health plans be more cost-effective? Since health insurance is regulated at the state level, your options will really depend on where you currently live. Perhaps you may want to consider moving back home with your parents if they live in a state that offers better healthcare options. If you lose your job, you get 60 days to decide if you wish to enroll in COBRA.

To learn more about COBRA, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website here.

Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives

If you missed the AMA webinar titled, "Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives," then you may be glad to know that you can view the archived session here: www.ama-assn.org/go/hit and then look under "Health IT webinars." Or, you can click on this direct link: https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=8qo7xu

This is the 3rd part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) webinar series by the AMA. The presenters include:

• Amanda Ervin, Director of Health Information Technology Initiatives, AMA
• Gary S. Schenk, Sr., MD, Gaston Family Care, Gastonia, NC

The agenda includes the following topics:

• Update on meaningful use
• Small practice perception of meaningful use as it pertains to utilization of an EHR

Seems like we're getting closer to really understanding and defining "meaningful use." The Health IT Policy Committee's "meaningful use" work group will meet today in Washington to submit revised recommendations to Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The next HIT policy committee meeting is scheduled for August 14.

Archived AMA Webinar on Health IT

Free American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) webinar series by the AMA. Want to view the archived AMA (American Medical Association) webinars on heath IT? They currently have archived versions of these 2 webinars:

1. Stimulus 101: Basics of the Health Information Technology Provisions
2. Stimulus 102: Update on the Health Information Technology Provisions

The 3rd webinar (Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 12:00 p.m. CST

All of these webinars are FREE, so what are you waiting for?

Point your browsers here: http://www.ama-assn.org/go/hit

Health IT is an Integral Part of Healthcare Reformation

We will probably see some significant changes to the healthcare system in the next few years. The big push is on Health IT or HITECH, so let's see how doctors and other clinicians adopt to all this change. We all know that Health IT will play a major role in healthcare reform. The bigger question is: how will clinicians adjust to the changes in medicine and technology? Will they become more productive or will they reluctantly adapt so they don't get penalized? There are non-clinical jobs in health IT for clinicians who have that level of interest. Are you qualified?