Blog

As you know, at the National Partnership for Women & Families, we strongly believe health IT is a real game-changer for patients, helping them take charge of their health and become true partners in improving our health care system. Easy access to electronic health information and tools can help patients and caregivers make more informed decisions; be better connected; generate and share important health information; and set, track and achieve personal health and wellness goals.

That’s why we were stunned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recent proposal that only one (ONE!) patient needs to access their health information online for a health care provider to receive federal incentive dollars. It’s a ridiculously low bar to set and a drastic retreat from established patient and family engagement requirements in the administration’s “meaningful use” program. We took action, mobilizing thousands of National Partnership supporters from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to sign a petition urging CMS to reverse this weak recommendation.

Now, we’re nearing the end of the public comment period (it ends June 15th). And we need your help more than ever: The most important thing YOU can do to change CMS’ position is make an official public comment. Here’s how:

• Visit http://participatorymedicine.org/nomuwithoutme/ for resources and details on how to submit a public comment, courtesy of the Society for Participatory Medicine.
• Go to http://www.nationalpartnership.org/cmsletter to sign the public comment letter urging CMS to reverse the proposed changes and reaffirm its commitment to patient and family engagement.

Help us show CMS that patients and families across the nation are watching closely, and that ONE PATIENT is not meaningful enough!