The fast-growing industry that makes digital medical records, the computer systems that can help doctors, hospitals, and insurers quickly keep track of patients, is gearing up for a Washington lobbying fight against federal safety regulations. The outcome is expected to profoundly impact what has become an important tool in the health industry, one that has been aggressively encouraged and heavily subsidized by the federal government under the assumption that it will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve outcomes for patients. The Obama administration plans to release recommendations in the coming months on how information technology systems used in the industry should be regulated for safety.
