Healthcare reform uncertainty could chill tech innovation

With newly elected Republicans in Congress pledging to repeal healthcare reform, you've got to wonder whether those threats will slow healthcare providers' technology innovation efforts.

After all, the deployment and use of IT plays a significant role in the healthcare legislation passed earlier this year. It shows up in the new Accountable Care Organization (ACO) concept and in state insurance exchanges, among other places.

Under the reform legislation, some healthcare providers will start testing out the ACO approach where they coordinate patient care to achieve higher quality care, process efficiencies and cost savings. Successful ACOs will be eligible for Medicare financial incentives.