The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will seek public comment starting on Jan. 13 for proposed rules and standards in regards to a national electronic, digital health record system.

David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for HHS, told Federal News Radio last week that one proposed rule involves defining "meaningful use," and another lays out standards and minimum certification criteria for electronic medical health records.

There's $19.2 billion that has been designated as available to physicians, providers, and hospitals to improve their healthcare IT, but the trick is how to define the issue and who is qualified to receive the funds. Blumenthal said the meaningful use proposal is aimed at ensuring that electronic records will be used in an effective way that promotes health and well being, as well as efficiency in the healthcare system.

According to Blumenthal, the law requires the plan include electronic prescribing of drugs by physicians; the exchange of health information, and the reporting of quality information and care. The two proposed rules run more than 500 pages in length, and the public has 60 days to submit comments.

Jim Trafficant, vice president with Harris Health Care Solutions, a firm vying to help create products based on the health IT standards, said HHS has created a collaborative model that could help accelerate the adoption of health information exchange. He said Social Security, military health, Veterans Affairs and the National Cancer Institute all are working together to assure continuity.

For more on ehealth:
- see this FederalNewsRadio.com article

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