H.R. 5214, "a bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for recommendations for the development and use of clinical data registries for the improvement of patient care"

H.R. 5214, introduced by Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make recommendations for the development and use of clinical data registries that are integrated with clinical practice guidelines and best practices or standards of care.  The legislation provides five paragraphs of extensive instruction for what these recommendations should cover.  Because of the varied nature of registries and various uses for the registries, this approach could limit flexibility and stymie development of registries, forcing current innovation into a one-size-fits all registry approach.  It is unclear how the directive in this legislation would fit in with the existing, extensive stake-holder developed User Guide published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or with the American Medical Association’s National Quality Registry Network process.