The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), part of the 2009 economic stimulus package (ARRA) passed by the US Congress, aims at inducing more physicians to adopt EHRs. Maximum incentive payments are promised for Medicaid to those who adopt and use "certified EHRs" beginning in 2011. Doctors who do not adopt an EHR by 2015 will be penalized. In order to receive the EHR stimulus money, the HITECH act (ARRA) requires doctors to show "meaningful use" of an EHR system. As of June 2010, there are no penalty provisions for Medicaid. HIPAA was also extended to cover electronic records, which covers proper disclosure and security breaches.
