NIST would like suggestions from the public regarding how federal agencies should be involved in the standardization system. Standardization areas include but are not limited to: smart grid, health information technology, cybersecurity, emergency communications interoperability, radioactivity detector and radiation monitors. Public comments are due by February 7, 2011.

Read the full story:
http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/nist-seeks-input-government-involvement-standardization

By yesterday, two states had already sent out checks to Medicaid participants just two days after registration for the program had opened. The checks came from Kentucky and Oklahoma, with many other states soon to follow. There has been some skepticism regarding how smoothly the meaningful use incentives programs will go. Maybe these recent events will put people more at ease.

Read the full story:
http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/meaningful-use-ehr-incentive-check-medicaid-41699-1.html?ET=healthdatamanagement:e1596:159225a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HDM_Daily_010611

Experts are already making disheartening predictions for health information privacy in 2011, such as increased fines, data breaches, regulations, penalties, etc.

What are your thoughts on the issue?

Read the full story:
http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/experts-name-top-7-trends-health-information-privacy-2011

The ONC has provided RECs with $12.2 million dollars to assist Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Hospitals with adopting health IT systems. The last day to apply is January 12th.

View the grant notice:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=K4QZNZ2KQHtK7Tp35vXHvnh5CL176QG2krrTfGLYM1knwMsTRCpj!-879902432?oppId=61053&mode=VIEW

Read the full story:
http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/rec-hitech-onc-grants-rural-critical-access-hospitals-ehr-41668-1.html?ET=healthdatamanagement:e1591:159225a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HDM_Daily_010411

ONC chose to make Surescripts an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ATCB) for EHRs.  Surescripts will join the 5 other ATCBs in evaluating EHRs on whether or not they meet meaningful use.

Read the full story:
http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2011/1/3/onc-adds-surescripts-to-list-of-authorized-ehr-testers-certifiers.aspx

With people still figuring out how they are going to meet Stage 1 requirements, Stage 2 is coming up fast. A proposed rule will likely be issued in late 2011, with the final rule likely being released in summer of 2012. That would only leave a few months before fiscal year 2013, which is the year when Stage 2 must be implemented. Are any bells going off that this may be too tight of a deadline? Larry Wolf, a health IT strategist, thinks so. 

Read the full story and Larry's comments:
http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/meaningful-use-EHR-HITECH-41618-1.html?ET=healthdatamanagement:e1584:159225a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HDM_Daily_123010