Final answer:
Healthcare facilities are encouraged to adopt EHR software systems through regulatory measures from the ACA, which cap administrative costs and mandate the use of electronic records to reduce expenses. The shift towards HMOs and the sharing of digital records are also approaches that promote the adoption of EHRs as they foster efficiency and cost reductions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To encourage healthcare facilities to purchase and use Electronic Health Record (EHR) software systems, several initiatives have been put in place. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), for instance, introduced regulations to control the rise in healthcare costs. Among these measures, there was a limit set on the amount healthcare providers can allocate to administrative expenses, and a requirement was established for providers to transition to electronic medical records (EMRs). This switch to EMRs is seen as a way to reduce the administrative burden and associated costs.
Moreover, the shift toward health maintenance organizations (HMOs), where providers are paid a fixed amount per patient rather than per service, encourages efficiency. Healthcare providers have incentives to keep costs down, including using EHRs to streamline operations. Additionally, the sharing of digital records among health providers is encouraged as it's seen to both improve the quality of care and reduce overall costs.