HHS has completed the awarding of state grants for health information exchange under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by designating a final group 16 states and state-designated entities to receive a total of $161.7 million. This follows a February announcement of about $385 million in grants to 40 states, territories and designated entities.
Befitting the states' sizable populations, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received the largest grant, $28.8 million, followed by Florida's Agency of Health Care Administration, which was awarded $20.7 million in federal stimulus money.
"States are important partners in improving and expanding our electronic health records system," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a written statement. "By improving the secure exchange of electronic health records between providers and hospitals within and across states, these awards mark a significant step in bringing our health system into the 21st century."
For more information:
- see this Healthcare IT News story