$19 Billion for What?

Friday, May 15, 2009

Posted by JA Railton

The idea of making medical records electronic throughout the country is unquestionably practical. This is a question of convenience for the medical facilities more than anything. Electronic records are much easier to transfer, to standardize and to secure.  I personally have no problem with having an electronic record. Because the technology is there, and there's a cost-savings, it's inevitable, that this will eventually be the standard. As far as privacy goes, electronic records will be no less private than are hard copies of medical files.

However, for lack of a better term, it always ticks me off when I find that the government feels that they need to get involved with, and to pay for such things.  $19 billion of our tax dollars to accelerate the use of electronic medical records!!! Why??

Let the industries that will benefit pay for it for themselves if they so choose! I work in an information technology position of a hospital and my girlfriend is a medical student. I know, without a doubt, that the industry is moving forward with this, whether it's paid for by the citizens or not. This sort of expense is simply not a part of any of the branches of government that were established by the founders of this country.

Nonetheless, I understand that regulation and procedures should be put in place and enforced through federal laws. This is part of protecting the citizens, which is a government role.