One week after CMS proposed changes to the meaningful use program including a 90-day reporting period and lowered thresholds for several objectives, a group of senators introduced a bill seeking further flexibility.
The bill, called the "EHR Regulatory Relief Act" would eliminate the "all-or-nothing" approach to meaningful use, where program participants must meet all the requirements or else they fail. Instead, the bill proposes participants would successfully attest if they meet 70 percent of the measures.
The American Hospital Association voiced support for this proposed rule, saying the agency has long advocated to eliminate the "all-or-nothing" approach which it says is unfair to hospitals that face significant penalties if they miss just one requirement.
The bill also proposes extended flexibilities in applying hardship exceptions for meaningful use and asks for a 90-day reporting period. The AHA also noted support for these two propositions.
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