Obama Says Health IT Included in Economic Stimulus Package

In a recent radio address President-elect Barack Obama said health IT would be included in an economic stimulus package being drafted by members of Congress. Obama said that modernizing the country's hospitals would be part of a major effort to finance an upgrade of the U.S. broadband infrastructure. Among other measures, the package would seek to provide hospitals and physicians with access to electronic health record systems and other new medical technology. Obama did not provide details about the total cost of the package and said he would continue over the next few weeks to release the economic stimulus plan so that legislation can be passed as soon as he takes office.