At this very first stage of implementation (and through 2015) these EHR’s are not necessarily connected or automatically part of any larger network (local, regional or national).

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danmunro/2012/01/19/u-s-healthcare-hits-3-trillion/

Is there any precedent for this on a National Scale – in 5, 10, 20 years?  At this very first stage of implementation (and through 2015) these EHR’s are not necessarily connected or automatically part of any larger network (local, regional or national).  No real gains here – for several (if not many) years.  Do we need to do this.  Yes.  Are we hitting NHE yet?  Not so much.