The assertion that electronic records will save money is largely a myth. Obama and the other Democrats should know better.
There are two ways to adopt universal electronic records.
Implement VistA free of charge to every physician office in the country. If the politicians are so confident that electronic records will save money, this is a no-brainer.
Or, mandate physicians to implement VistA as a condition of receiving Medicare payments. This can be done in conjunction with a significant increase in physician payment rates.
Otherwise, the piecemeal, half-assed attempts at modernizing health IT will surely continue.
