NY state's HIT programs good model for federal efforts, researchers say

A new study by researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College concludes that health IT programs in place in New York could serve as models for federal efforts. Currently, New York has allocated about $250 million in state funds for EMRs that can connect to other provider systems through the statewide health information exchange, which has spawned millions more in private-sector investment.

The Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers Capital Grant Program (HEAL NY) has already distributed $160 million, triggering a related $230 million in private sector funding for health IT infrastructure.

To assess how effective these grants had been, the Weill Cornell researchers surveyed 26 grantees who received a funds under the first phase of HEAL NY. The grantees had received a total of $53 million.

Researchers found that two years into the HEAL NY program, 100 percent of the grantees were still in existence and were still building out interoperable HIT systems. This is in market contrast to national trends, given that one-quarter of RHIOs nationwide don't survive their first year.

To find out more about HEAL NY:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece

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