Do you remember how difficult it was to get your health information before electronic accounts? You would have to spend hours calling every healthcare provider to make sure your health information was updated. And who had time to find out a patient's background in an emergency? Now, we can do this in just a few clicks, saving lives.
In 2016, lawmakers tackled these problems with the 21st Century Cures Act. So, why does this game-changing law from the Department of Health and Human Services matter to you?
Before the 21st Century Cures Act, many parts of our nationwide health system were stuck in the past: clinical testing took forever, mental disorder services were hard to find, and sharing information between health care facilities was like trying to get two computers from different decades to talk to each other.
The 21st Century Cures Act became law in 2016 under President Obama, designed to improve health care by advancing medical research, streamlining drug and treatment approvals, and enhancing the use of health technology. It promotes the sharing of electronic health information, prevents practices that block data access, and supports research on issues like cancer and opioid addiction. The Act also allocates funding to the FDA and ensures health IT systems meet standards for better care coordination.
The Act aims to make health care more efficient, transparent, and patient-focused.
The Cures Act takes data access and sharing seriously. If hospitals, health IT developers, or other organizations block access to electronic health information (EHI) or fail to meet the Act's requirements, they can face steep penalties.
Developers or networks that engage in "information blocking" can be fined up to $1 million per violation. Providers who don't comply may also face disincentives, like losing access to federal programs or funding.
The quicker exchange of health information supports patients in several ways. You might notice:
With streamlined electronic health records (EHRs), your healthcare provider can spend more time focusing on you instead of paperwork.
Many caregivers worry about keeping their loved one's health information safe. The 21st Century Cures Act requires all health IT systems and health IT developers to follow strict data security and privacy standards. This means your loved one's electronic health information (EHI) is protected from unauthorized access. Developers must use strong encryption and other safeguards to keep data secure, and any violations of these standards can result in serious penalties.
The 21st Century Cures Act significantly improves the ability of rural hospitals to deliver quality care, even in resource-limited areas.
One of the biggest challenges rural hospitals face is accessing necessary medical equipment. The Act simplifies how these hospitals apply for and obtain the tools they need. It also improves the sharing of health information by requiring electronic health records (EHRs) to meet interoperability standards.
Medicaid services also see significant improvements under the Act, with expanded options and increased flexibility that help rural providers better support patients relying on Medicaid, creating a more equitable healthcare system. At the same time, the Act strengthens data security, requiring health IT developers to implement strong protections for patient information, which is particularly important for rural hospitals with limited cybersecurity resources.
Here are some resources to help you navigate electronic health information (EHI) access and understand your rights:
