What is the aim of the HITECH Act?

The aim of the HITECH Act is to promote the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). Enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the HITECH Act was designed to enhance the widespread use of EHR systems across healthcare settings. The emphasis on "meaningful use" refers to a set of criteria that healthcare providers must meet to qualify for financial incentives under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This aligns with the goal of improving care quality, increasing patient safety, and ensuring better health outcomes through the efficient use of technology in patient records management.

Additionally, the HITECH Act facilitates the sharing of health information among providers, encourages clinical decision support tools, and aims to improve coordination of care, all of which are essential components in modernizing healthcare delivery. The focus on meaningful use also underscores the importance of utilizing EHRs to enhance patient engagement and improve population health management.

The other options do not accurately reflect the objectives of the HITECH Act. For instance, increasing prices of EHRs runs counter to the act's intent of promoting access and usage. Restricting access to patient health information contradicts the initiative's objective to facilitate information sharing for better care. Lastly