Bill would give EHR users legal protection

Rep. Thomas Marino (R-Pa.) introduced legislation that would offer limited legal protection to the Medicare and Medicaid providers that use electronic health records.

The Safeguarding Access for Every Medicare Patient Act would reduce costs, guarantee incentives for providers to continue to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and promote the use of health IT systems, according to a news release from Marino's office.

“Many providers are reluctant to use electronic records because they believe the practice will make them more vulnerable to unnecessary legal action,” said Marino in the news release.

The legislation would create a system for reporting errors without the threat of that information being used as an admission of guilt. It would also establish time limits for filing lawsuits and would provide protection against libel and slander suits. Marino said the bill requires no new spending.