The Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA), representing major medical record software companies such as Epic Systems and Oracle Health, has proposed ‘Smart Deregulation’ to the federal health department. This proposal seeks to relax certain requirements for software used by health systems participating in programs like Medicare. Critics, including Josh Mandel, Microsoft Research’s chief architect for health, argue that this move could undermine critical data access capabilities. Mandel specifically highlighted two requirements related to exporting patient records that he believes are essential for maintaining data accessibility and promoting innovation in healthcare technology.
The debate centers around the balance between regulatory compliance and innovation in the healthcare IT sector. While the EHRA argues that current regulations may be overly burdensome, opponents like Mandel contend that clear regulatory drivers are necessary to encourage investment in new features that benefit patients and the healthcare system. Without such drivers, Mandel notes, the market has historically underprovided foundational capabilities that are crucial for advancing healthcare technology.
This discussion is particularly relevant as the healthcare industry continues to evolve with technological advancements. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for how health systems manage patient data and integrate new technologies into their operations. As the industry moves forward, finding the right balance between regulation and innovation will be critical to ensuring that healthcare technology continues to improve patient care while maintaining the integrity and accessibility of health records.
