Who can afford to implement EHR in this economic environment?

[kburgess]

From yesterday's IT HealthLeaders:  There are hardship exceptions available for critical access hospitals in the regulations, vendors are offering flexible payment solutions where providers can pay for systems on the backend, and there are grants for regional extension centers and states to help providers implement EHR systems and achieve "meaningful use" and establish health information exchanges.

The Federal Grantseeking webinar (see the recorded version on this site) outlines some of the grant opportunities for hospitals...BUT....the government seems to be missing the point.  It's hard to make EHRs a priority, despite all good intentions, when the money isn't there for the basics.  Who agrees?