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$83.9 Million in Grants to Help Implement Electronic Health Records

Essential Technology Needed to Improve Healthcare for Low-Income and Uninsured

June 13, 2010

Last week, Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, announced $83.9 million in grants to help networks of health centers implement Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other healthcare-related IT systems. "This essential technology improves the quality of care we all receive and helps make care more efficient." Sebelius said.

"These funds will help safety-net providers acquire state-of-the-art health information technology systems as they work to provide quality healthcare to millions of people in need," HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield said.

The funding was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the Economic Stimulus Package.  In addition to these grants, other stimulus grants have been made for Health IT investments including Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Regional Extension Centers (RECs), technological advancements, and EHR Pilot programs. 

Some feel, however, the most important grant is the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement bonuses physicians and hospitals will receive when they demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology, beginning in 2011.

There are many benefits with an Electronic Health Record system. The EHR system makes the patient workflow simplified by giving the physicians the ability to document an entire patient encounter easily, find the pertinent information and retrieve the data they need to improve quality care. The ease of accessibility to patient health records is critical for the automation of daily tasks and improving interoffice communication, therefore increasing office staff efficiency altogether.

Read the full article:
HHS Awards $83.9M to Assist in Adoption of EHRs
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About ChartLogic, Inc.

Electronic Health Records...Better Patient Care since 1994. ChartLogic has helped thousands of practices make the transition from paper to digital medical offices. Guaranteed to meet "meaningful use" requirements, ChartLogic offers two comprehensive electronic health record suites that include electronic medical records, superior medical billing software, document management, and interactive patient education. ChartLogic helps physicians provide better patient care through better technology. For further information, visit www.chartlogic.com.

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