§17903 Study and Reports

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to the proper House and Senate committees about building a nationwide system for electronic health information. The first report is due not later than 2 years after February 17, 2009, and then every year after that. Each report must say what the government and private groups have done, what problems remain, and how to finish the job. The Secretary must also do, or hire someone to do, two studies and send reports to those same committees. One study looks at ways to create efficient payment incentives to improve care in Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and free clinics, with a report due not later than 2 years after February 17, 2009. The other studies new aging services technology to help seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. That study must evaluate how to find useful current and future technology, encourage business and academic innovation, learn from other countries, and identify and remove barriers to innovation and use. The aging technology report is due not later than 24 months after February 17, 2009. “Aging services technology” means health technology for seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. The Secretary will define “senior.”