HHS, HIT Policy Committee, Health IT Numbers, HITECH Act

New Jersey has seen a 14 percent increase in medical-device manufacturing jobs over the past couple of years—from around 18,000 to 20,500 “which is so promising because that means the industry is growing, even in tough economic times.” Quote from NJ US Rep. Frank Pallone at a roundtable discussion he organized with industry representatives and FDA officials at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ on Nov. 21.
HHS says data indicates that the national transition to health IT is creating jobs. Over 50,000 health IT-related jobs have been created since the enactment of the HITECH Act. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of health IT jobs across the country is expected to increase by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.
Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the AHA spent close to $4.8 million on federal lobbying in the 3rd quarter this year which was an 11% increase from last year. This was also an increase from the $4.2 million they spent in the 2nd quarter of this year.
At the December 7, HIT Policy meeting, these figures were reported for November:

Active Medicare Registrations for Eligible Professionals (EPs) are up 10,241 making YTD total 114,925. Eligible Hospitals are up 4 for YTD total of 168.
Active Medicaid Registrations for EPs are up 8,175 making YTD total 39,437. Hospitals are up 14 for YTD total of 66.
Hospitals registering for both Medicare and Medicaid programs is up 229 making the YTD total 2,634.
All total active registration for all programs is 154,596.
Medicare incentive payments went out to 4,426 providers and hospitals making YTD total 10,566. Medicare has paid $920,291,216 to date.
Estimated Medicaid providers and hospitals paid is up 2,764 for a YTD total of 12,070. Medicaid had paid $916,000,000 to date.
43% of the Medicare providers that have been paid are either family practitioners or internal medicine.

Have a good weekend.