Eligible hospitals had their single largest month of payments at $1 billion in December, a CMS official said.

The National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) highlights the fact that "patients and their families need to be at the center of efforts to modernize health care's information infrastructure," according to national coordinator Farzad Mostashari, MD.

Now that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has the attention of physicians and hospitals to improve care through the meaningful use of electronic health records, ONC intends this autumn to emphasize strategies for reaching out to consumers to participate more in their healthcare.

First industry reaction to reduced requirements in CMS final rule is broadly positive.

The eHealth Initiative and the Center for Improving Medication Management outlines strategies for making e-prescribing mainstream.

The former CMS chief says the federal government should lead efforts to build trustworthiness into health IT systems and policies.

Most of the 2008 presidential candidates cite health IT as a key aspect of their plans to solve the health care crisis. But a lack of specifics raises questions about the ultimate worth – and sincerity – of their promises.

President's lame-duck status will not prevent officials from keeping score on agencies.