AHA comments on ONC's proposed 2015 Edition certification criteria

The AHA today urged the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to finalize proposals in the 2015 Edition rule to increase the transparency and reliability of certified health IT through robust testing, increased surveillance of products in the field and increased disclosure requirements on vendors. In addition, AHA urged ONC to prioritize improvements to standards and certification criteria that are necessary for the EHR Incentive Program; refrain from including immature standards in regulation; and continue work with public and private stakeholders on pilots and demonstrations that can accelerate the maturity of standards. “While this may narrow the scope of a final 2015 Edition rule, we believe it will improve both the ability of vendors to develop technology in conformance with certification requirements and the ability of providers to successfully implement technology to meet regulatory requirements,” Linda Fishman, senior vice president of public policy analysis and development, said in a comment letter on the proposed rule.