I'd like to think you're right, Donna, but it ain't over 'til its over, and that could be several more years.

Regarding the Hardship Exemption, there is this from CMS: "Providers who experienced an issue with their CEHRT related to the rule timing ? and any other provider for whom the TIMING of the rule caused a significant hardship ? should select sub-category 2.2d on the 2017 hardship exception application. No additional documentation is required for this selection". So its definitely 2.2d.

And, I may have found the answer to my own question, in that the CMS 2016 Reporting Requirements page says: "EHR Reporting Period: For all returning participants, the EHR reporting period will be a full calendar year from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016". So, if you have previously reported (i.e. done any Step 1), 2016 is a full calendar year of data. Only newbies to MU (Step 1, year 1) get to do 90 days in 2016. [Unless they further change it].