Critical Legislation – Your Help Needed!
The Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2011 (S. 539) was introduced in the U.S. Senate in March by Sen. Representative Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). This key legislation extends eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare incentive funds for the “meaningful use” of Electronic Healthcare Records (EHRs) to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment professionals and facilities not included as eligible (except in some cases via their “eligible professionals”) for incentives in the HITECH Act, a component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Netsmart has been a leader on your behalf for the past three years in the proactive public policy advocacy that resulted in the original HITECH Act and this important corrective legislation, as well as similar legislation expected to be introduced soon in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Your help is needed now to help assure eligibility for these key funds. Please urge your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor this important legislation. Below is more detailed information and a sample letter for your use as you contact your senators.
Important Links
Full text of S. 539
S. 539 Fact Sheet from the Behavioral Health IT Coalition
“Safe Harbor” Legislation Promoted for EHR Adoption
Sample letter to U.S. Senators (can be used in printed form or adapted for e-mail)
Contact information for members of the U.S. Senate
Additional Information
To learn more about Meaningful Use incentive funds, visit www.ntst.com/meaningfuluse
|
