---
title: Fighting For Pediatric Stimulus
description: Fighting For Pediatric Stimulus
---

[Confessions of a Pediatric Management Consultant... Where fame and fortune await those who help keep pediatric practices alive and independent! ](https://chipsblog.pcc.com)

# [Fighting For Pediatric Stimulus](https://chipsblog.pcc.com/fighting-for-pediatric-stimulus)

 Written by [Chip Hart](https://chipsblog.pcc.com/author/chip-hart) | Jun 26, 2009 3:16:25 PM

I had an interesting conversation the other day with the sales head of one of the big EHR/PM systems (you've heard of them) who bragged to me about their lobbyists down in Washington DC and implied how he, as a result, is more aware of what's "really" going on down there than the rest of us.

Of course, it would never occur to me to have a lobbyist working for PCC.  I know I'm naieve, but we just don't think that way.  Lobbying on behalf of our clients, though - that's another story.

Which leads me to Dr. Sue Kressly who was down in DC on Wednesday, fighting for a little fairness for pediatricians as part of the stimulus bill.  Some of the reasons I think the HIT stimulus package is a [load of phooey](http://www.pedsource.com/tag/stimulus) are addressed by Sue.  Thanks to Greg Anderson, of [OP](http://www.officepracticum.com/) fame, for sending this along.

> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIoL5aTCqKw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIoL5aTCqKw)

> This links to section 12, which is her original testimony. you can hear her, but for  
>  some reason the camera shot stays focused on the chairwoman. ...  
>  Also, Sue is quoted below in an article about the hearing that was published in  
>  Congress Daily.

> Smaller Medical Practices Get Help With Electronic Records  
>  Thursday, June 25, 2009
> 
> The Obama administration's implementation of stimulus package incentives intended to  
>  spur nationwide adoption of electronic medical records will give special attention  
>  to solo practitioners and small group practices, HHS Health IT Coordinator David  
>  Blumenthal told lawmakers Wednesday.
> 
> He testified before the House Small Business Regulations and Healthcare  
>  Subcommittee, which heard from pediatricians, optometrists and others who fear they  
>  could be disadvantaged when the government doles out about $17 billion in Medicare  
>  and Medicaid bonuses, grants and technical assistance.
> 
> Under the statute, physicians beginning in 2011 will be eligible for up to $44,000  
>  under Medicare for using health IT, although what constitutes "meaningful use" of  
>  that technology has yet to be determined. Starting in 2015, penalties for those who  
>  fail to demonstrate "meaningful use" will take effect. Blumenthal said HHS is  
>  setting up listening sessions around the country targeted at small practices to hear  
>  how they believe stimulus money can work for them.
> 
> Currently, 21 percent of physicians have adopted electronic medical records, but  
>  only 13 percent of small providers have done so. For that reason, Congress created  
>  grant programs to stand up regional extension centers that would assist and educate  
>  providers, with priority given to small practices and those focused on primary care,  
>  Blumenthal said.
> 
> House Small Business Regulations and Healthcare Subcommittee Chairwoman Kathy  
>  Dahlkemper, D-Pa., said the bill she introduced in conjunction with the hearing will  
>  build on the stimulus by establishing a Small Business Administration loan program  
>  designed specifically for doctors who want to make health IT investments. The  
>  starting price tag for such systems is $32,000 per doctor, she noted.  
>  "That's a big investment for any business, and for many physicians it is enough of a  
>  hurdle to stop them from purchasing HIT," she said.
> 
> Susan Kressly, who testified on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said  
>  her colleagues are deprived by low-payment rates under Medicaid and because of  
>  disparities between stimulus requirements for practices paid by Medicaid rather than  
>  Medicare. The Academy thinks pediatricians whose caseload consists of 20 percent  
>  Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program and the uninsured should be eligible  
>  for stimulus funds. Pennsylvania Optometric Association Executive Director Charles  
>  Stuckey added his group is troubled that a "large and diverse group of providers"  
>  could be left behind.

[View full post](https://chipsblog.pcc.com/fighting-for-pediatric-stimulus)

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