Digitized records a plus

I am responding to a Jan. 15 column in The Spokesman-Review called “Obama’s leadership costly.” I am concerned that the obviously conservative Mona Charen is fishing for ways to criticize the president rather than thinking rationally on the digitization of medical records.

In Moscow, Idaho, setting up an electronic email system for the Moscow Care Clinic is the best thing that it could have done. I have been able to email questions and get answers from a busy staff that never had the time to answer the phone or come to the front desk before. I received good news on a lab report via email; whereas, before, I never received feedback on my labs without chasing down physicians day after day trying to get my results.

I find it difficult to believe that the author cannot see the efficiency and reduction in paper waste, as well as saved dollars and time for both patients and medical staff. I find it even more difficult to believe that her judgmental rhetoric be allowed such recognition, as if she is an authority; whereas I only see someone who likes to cast opinionated insults.

Jodie Ficca

Moscow