Meaningful-use attestation needs to be simplified, and another letter

Regarding the recent article “Meaningful use of EHRs by doctors fell in 2014” (ModernHealthcare.com, Aug. 12), it is astounding that the CMS would expect Medicare patients, who often have five or more physicians, to log in with each of their doctors on different websites with different passwords. Such a feat would be challenging even for millennials. If you were in an integrated system and there would be one sign-on, this would be far more doable. The goal of patient access is laudable, but until the security and technologies to easily access portals have improved, goals must be tempered with reality.

Dr. David Shulan

Regarding the article “SEC gives green light to new CEO pay ratio rule” (Modern Healthcare.com, Aug. 5), it's a sad day when a federal agency has to step forward to demand attention to this. For years, the salaries and bonuses of healthcare executives have been shameful and astonishing. Where are the governing bodies' ethics policies? The gap between the senior executives and their direct-reports also reflects the abysmal behavior of governing boards. The excesses are everywhere: big pharma, insurance companies, hospitals and health systems, regardless of ownership.

Martin Diamond