Ernst & Young LLP Issues 2007 Outlook for U.S. Healthcare Provider Sector

Ernst & Young LLP Issues 2007 Outlook for U.S. Healthcare Provider Sector: "The healthcare sector lags behind other industries in its use of technology for business processes; especially notable is that only a small percentage of medical records are computerized. To spur progress in this area, there is growing support for the federal government to play a leadership role in establishing standards and funding. Before the 2006 mid-term elections, two competing health information technology (health IT) bills were passed, one in the House and one in the Senate, but no further action was taken in the 109th Congress, which ended with 2006. There is a good possibility that health IT proposals will once again emerge during the 110th Congress. Incoming Senate Health Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has stated that one of his top priorities will be to pass health IT legislation."