I think this is a bad idea. Not that doctors have and use electronic records within their own practices, but a national standardized system would actually be extremely dangerous. Privacy is my concern, particularly government access. My doctor's office has already been hacked where our records including Social Security numbers was accessed from outside the network. You only have to look at how secure our identities are and our credit card information is to agree that no system will ever be secure. In addition, I have personal experience with taking records from one doctor to another. No problem. I have never heard of a doctor duplicating another doctor's medical tests because they didn't know. That information is in the record that I took to that doctor. Who would pay for this national EHR? More taxes, higher insurance premiums? Nothing is free. 

I find these numbers amost unbelievable, I have been using electronic medical records for almost 18 yrs, I prectice in two places one with EMR and one without.  the EMR is safer but it is also more time consuming. If you have to see more than 25-30 pts daily EMR can be cumbersome. On the other hand they are much safer in alerting you on possible drug interactions. as wll as allergies.   I have also worked in three different countries some with nationalized healthcare and although no system is perfect We do need to have some basic coverage for everyone and whomever wants more or deviate from what the Insurance will cover can pay for additional Insurance or out of pocket.  It would be like an HMO for everyone and a PPO for those who wish. Secondly just like Japan Equipment and product manufacturers will need to come up with products that allow them to make bussiness and still fit within the price allowed by the Insurance.  Dental Behavioral and Ophtalmo  need to be included.