note (SSLR) that the section on p442 IIRC deals with upgrading medical IT systems and medical records. That isn't referring to the GOVERNMENT guiding medical decisions, but whoever is using the records, that being the doctor, hospital, insurance company, etc. So in that regard, it's status quo.
It's hidden in there either because one of the House members stuck it in as a "pet" project, or (if it was in the original White House version) because they presumably felt that it would create jobs, which is correct. There are a lot of potential jobs in the field of modernizing medical software and systems, but not a lot of will to do so. Medical software companies produce some of the worst crap, based on the most outdated platforms and APIs, and with the dirtiest hacks incorporated, that I've ever seen. And hospitals and insurance companies don't make it any better by being cheap about upgrading and/or staying up to date with the technology. |
