But much more work remains to fully implement health IT in ways that help our health care system meet the needs of patients, caregivers and providers. We have a responsibility to patients and families to finish the job,” said Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

The HITECH Act, which was included in a larger economic stimulus package, officially created the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the meaningful use program.

Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, said in a statement that the widespread use of electronic health records by providers made possible by the HITECH Act’s Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs are “helping to facilitate much-needed culture change by empowering patients.”

Health Information Technology (HIT) policy needs to focus on improving patient medication adherence in order to realize the goals of improving patient health and achieving cost savings in the US health care system, according to an expert panel convened by NEHI (Network for Excellence in Health Innovation) and Prescriptions for a Healthy America.

Consumer Partnership for eHealth offered its assessment of Stage 3, writing, “The Meaningful Use program must incorporate infrastructure and uses of certified EHRs that will reduce health disparities as a measurable health outcome. To this end, we have come together to create an evidence-based action plan for leveraging the EHR Incentive Program to reduce health disparities.