>>> we obviously have two DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE views of the word INTEROPERABILITY
I don't think so, but so be it. I just hope you don't bow out thinking that CCHIT now offers interoperability. It doesn't. In the past they have looked at the HL7 and CCR, but it's still being worked out. Not that I care... doesn't make HIMSS/CCHIT any less wretched.
On CCHIT we most likely do differ a lot, since you're looking at things from an IT programmer's viewpoint. I, on the other hand, am looking at it as a physician who realizes that this HITECH movement will affect my bottom line. It'll also affect how I'll end up practicing medicine in the last part of my earning career as it comes to a close.
What do I care about interoperability? Not much. It won't improve the speed at which I see patients, it won't put more money in my pocket. Now that CMS/Medicare is in the process of having HIMSS direct the "carrots/sticks" that can be used to force me to buy their own "enterprise" c-EHR products, all I see is that after 2017 if I'm still a Medicare participating physician my payment can decrease by as much as 5%, as dictated by the HIMSS programmer lobbying group.
Have a happy Memorial Day!
Cheers,
Al
Last edited by alborg; 05/25/2009 2:04 PM.
