Blumenthal: Minorities Lack Physicians Utilizing EHRs

Health information technology czar David Blumenthal is calling on vendors to increase electronic health record adoption among physicians serving underserved minority populations.

In an open letter addressed to the vendor community that was posted online Oct. 18, Blumenthal--whose official title is the national coordinator for health information technology within the Health and Human Services Department--says he wants vendor assistance to ensure "we are not creating a new form of 'digital divide.'"

Electronic health record adoption rates remain lower among health care providers serving Hispanic or Latino patients who are uninsured or relied on Medicaid, Blumenthal says in the letter, which is co-signed by Garth Graham, director of the HHS office of minority health.