Fed advisors grapple with Meaningful Use 2

The Meaningful Use Workgroup is deciding what to recommend for inclusion in Stage 2 criteria. The group is expected to deliver its formal recommendations in May. Public comments on proposed measures for Stages 2 and 3 fell into two camps: vendors and providers called for a delay, while consumers, purchasers, health plans, and health IT advocates supported the proposed timeline. The group is considering ideas to slow down Stage 2 within the confines of the HITECH Act, such as collecting data for only three months instead of a year. Some members also mentioned the need for standards to be agreed upon before moving forward.