My former HMO switched to electronic records about a year ago. Even though the software itself was pretty horrible, and the doctors all hated it (I never heard a nurse complain about it), it did actually make the process of going to the doctor a lot easier. There was no more "Take this to the lab, bring back what they give you, check in again, then the doctor will give you the referral you need for the specialist, but you'll need to go to the specialist's office to make an appointment and don't forget the paperwork."

But this doesn't need to be legislated, fercryinoutloud. Republicans are supposed to be in favor of LESS legislation. This is just another case of hurling technology and government intervention at something that just plain doesn't need either one.