Electronic Medical Records Software To Be Paid For By Taxing Medical Claims
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008Seems like the state of Vermont, in its “infinite” wisdom, is attempting to tax medical claims to help pay for a pilot project to implement electronic medical records software in the state.
Its not clear how the “tax” will work, if it will be added by the doctors and hospitals to the patients bill, or if it will be a tax to the doctors and hospitals.
Bad, bad, bad from my thinking. First of all we are “taxing” the sick to pay for something that will benefit everyone. Secondly, I don’t want the Federal or State government getting involved in dictating what an Electronic Medical Record will look like or influence the decision making of the private doctor. Lastly, the system proposed for Vermont, doesn’t adequately address “privacy” concerns (if the state helps fund and pay for the software, do they get a “free” peek at the records whenever they want? Or would they need a court order to view it? What are the punishments for privacy infringement?). This is BAD public policy as far as I’m concerned.