eHealthInitiative Calls for Flexible Health Information Exchange Regulations

Regulations proposed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT for governing health information exchange could "stifle innovation" and "hinder growth," warned the Washington, D.C.-based eHealth Initiative in a letter to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services last week.

eHI called for laws that support a "more flexible framework" to allow for continuous innovation. The group said that safeguards and business practices didn't need to be included in the regulations, pointing out that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and state laws already are strict and effective.