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Bi-Partisan Representatives Applaud Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Proposed 90-Day Reporting Period

Congressman Marsha Blackburn

7th District of Tennessee

U.S. Congress

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued statements after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule to reinstate a 90-day electronic health record (EHR) reporting period for physicians and hospitals under the Meaningful Use (MU) Program.

Under stringent mandates in place under the Meaningful Use (MU) program providers were penalized for not meeting burdensome electronic health record (EHR) reporting requirements.

U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn
U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn

In response to concerns, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed the implementation of a 90-day EHR reporting period.

This shortened reporting period would be an important first step in addressing the many challenges faced by doctors, hospitals and other medical providers due to excessive regulations.

In April, members of the U.S. House of Representatives united to introduce H.R. 5001 – the Flexibility in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporting Act – which called for a 90-day reporting period.

By adjusting the timeline, providers would have the option to choose any three-month quarter for the EHR reporting period in 2016 to qualify for Meaningful Use. The additional time and flexibility afforded by these modifications will help hundreds of thousands of providers to meet requirements in an effective and safe manner.

This CMS proposal will reinforce investments made to date and will ensure continued momentum towards the goals of the Meaningful Use Program, including enhanced care coordination and interoperability.

Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)

“This administration has constantly failed to offer patients, and the provider community, with the resources necessary in order to provide quality care. Providers and physicians in my district continue to tell me that CMS’ Meaningful Use criteria is simply that – meaningless. This legislation will allow flexibility with a 90-day reporting period and will give providers the opportunity to avoid harmful, bureaucratic penalties that drive up the costs of healthcare for all.”

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-02)

“I am pleased to see the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) propose a reduction in the reporting requirements for the Meaningful Use (MU) program to 90 days, which has remained a top priority of mine. Most recently, my colleagues and I addressed this issue with the MU program through our recent introduction of the Flexibility in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporting Act.”

“This proposed 90-day reporting period will deliver more flexibility to hospitals and doctors that are struggling to provide adequate health care due to a burdensome regulatory environment. Although, I believe there is still a great deal to be done with this program, I applaud CMS for a step in the right direction.”

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06)

“I introduced HR 5001, the Flexibility in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporting Act, with my colleagues because we recognize the critical role of technology as we transition to a system of value-based care across the country.  Providers need the flexibility to incorporate technology, such as electronic health records and population health data analytics, into our healthcare ecosystem. I am pleased that CMS has incorporated our bipartisan, bicameral recommendation to extend the 90-day reporting period for the meaningful use program to the 2016 reporting year.”

Congressman Bobby L. Rush (IL-01)

“This much needed 90-day reporting period will allow the flexibility for hospitals and critical access hospitals in my district to better serve their patients.

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