SEC HHS Leavitt visit to Jefferson

On Wednesday morning, March 19th, Sec of HHS Mike Leavitt spent nearly three hours on our campus at Jefferson in Philadelphia. He came to outline the new CMS national EHR demonstration project. Our department, with help from TJUH and others, put together a group of nearly 40 key stakeholders from across the region to sit at a table and work with the Sec on key issues concerning the adoption and dissemination of EHRs in small practice sites. SEC Leavitt did a great job outlining his plan and taking questions from the stakeholders. We hope to post a video of the meeting soon. Now, we will be the convener group responsible for submitting the demonstration project request in just the next few weeks!! I hope to keep you in the loop as we develop the proposal. Thanks for your support, DAVID NASH


Information in this video regarding the CMS EHR Demonstration Project was current as of March 19, 2008. CMS has made changes based on questions and input at this and other public meetings around the country.

For the most current and complete information, along with answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the CMS website.

Sec of HHS Mike Leavitt and JEFFERSON

I am happy to report that Sec of HHS Mike Leavitt will be our guest, on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University, on Wednesday March 19th and I will have the honor of serving as the convener for a regional meeting on the power of the EHR to improve the quality and safety of medical care. This is after all National Patient Safety Week and Sec Leavitt will be discussing the CMS EMR Regional Initiative---whereby CMS will be giving regional grants to docs in small primary care practices to stimulate the adoption of EMRs. CMS hopes to award one dozen regional grants after conducting nearly 40 visits around the nation.Our Department of Health Policy is once again being recognized for our leading edge work in this field and for our ability to bring together all the key stakeholders for a working session with the Secretary. More news to follow and we will surely post any video that comes from that meeting. Thanks for your support, DAVID NASH