Morning Headlines 4/10/13

Administration pushes toward electronic medical records

CMS and OIG both propose rules extending the safe harbor exceptions to both the Stark Law and the Federal Anti-Kickback Law that are set to expire on December 31, 2013. The laws would otherwise prevent hospitals and health systems from subsidizing EHRs for practices that refer patients to the organization.

Tavenner Moves Closer to CMS Confirmation

Marilyn Tavenner, acting head of CMS, received bipartisan support at her confirmation hearing Tuesday, taking her one step closer to becoming the agency’s first confirmed administrator since Mark McClellan, MD, PhD left the post in October 2006.

My first 100 days as Allscripts CEO

Paul Black provides some perspective on the transformation he is leading at Allscripts.

Did Jon Stewart Foil The Pentagon’s Health Records Plan?

Following a groundswell of negative media coverage and the appointment of former VA deputy administrator Chuck Hagel, the DoD seems to be revisiting the idea of adopting VistA in order to more efficiently move toward a central, integrated EHR.