Healthcare organizations are embracing electronic health records and laptop computers to drive down costs, increase employee satisfaction and deliver higher standards of care and member service. However, the loss of even one computer exposes organizations to damaging publicity, HIPAA compliance challenges and ultimately affects patient outcomes.

The House Ways and Means Committee is calling for $20 billion in spending to encourage the adoption of health information technology, including payments of as much as $65,000 to physicians who can demonstrate that they are using electronic data. The committee's chairman, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), released details Jan 16 of the Health IT for Economic and Clinical Health Act, which is to be included in an economic stimulus package. The bill seeks to advance the use of health IT, including electronic health records, Rangel said in a news release.