SPOTLIGHT: HHS hires controversial PR firm Ketchum to promote EMR security

What's it going to cost to convince the public that personal health information will be safe as the nation's hospitals and physician practices convert to EMRs? At least $25.8 million, based on a two-year contract HHS has awarded to public relations firm Ketchum. But the decision is not without controversy. Though Ketchum has been an HHS contractor in the past--notably generating the campaign that helped 35 million seniors enroll in Medicare Part D--it also was the firm that created numerous fake TV news stories to back various Bush administration policies. FierceHealthIT