The 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which included funding for Medicare and Medicaid incentives for the ‘Meaningful Use” (MU) of certified electronic health records (EHRs). The intent of the legislation is to promote the use of EHR technology to:
- Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities
- Engage patients and families in their healthcare
- Enhance care coordination
- Support population and public health
