Biden, Sebelius to unveil funds for electronic medical records
By MARGARET TALEVMcClatchy Newspapers
Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Thursday will formally announce the application process for $1.2 billion in grants to help expand the nation's electronic medical records system.
The funding, included in the $787 billion economic stimulus, comes as the vice president campaigns for a legislative health insurance overhaul at a roundtable discussion at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago. He and Sebelius will be joined by David Blumenthal, the national coordinator for health information technology.
It's one of two administration events this week to highlight the efficiencies of electronic medical records, something concrete Democrats can point to as they promote their call for broader changes to the nation's health care system. A second event is scheduled for Friday in Ohio.
The grants include $598 million to establish 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers to help hospitals and clinicians, and $564 million to help states improve information sharing.
Biden, in a statement, said by expanding the use of electronic health records, "We are making health care safer; we're making it more efficient; we're making you healthier; and we're saving money along the way." Biden also will attend a fundraiser to stump for Rep. Debbie Halvorson, a freshman Democrat from Illinois.
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You can get all of the details on the grant process from the ONC web site
HITECH Grant Programs
Health Information Technology Extension Program
State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program
To help potential applicants and other interested parties better understand the federal grants process, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has prepared a Getting Started Grants Primer. This document highlights the key steps needed to find and apply for grants.
The following additional links lead to government-wide web sites related to federal grants and other federal funding opportunities.
This program provides grants for the establishment of Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers that will offer technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices to support and accelerate health care providers’ efforts to become meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The consistent, nationwide adoption and use of secure EHRs will ultimately enhance the quality and value of health care.Learn more about the Health Information Technology Extension Program
These grant programs will support states and/or State Designated Entities (SDEs) in establishing health information exchange (HIE) capacity among health care providers and hospitals in their jurisdiction. Such efforts at the state level will establish and implement appropriate governance, policies and network services within the broader national framework to rapidly build capacity for connectivity between and among health care providers. State programs to promote HIE will help to realize the full potential of EHRs to improve the coordination, efficiency and quality of care.
Learn more about the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program
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