A provision in the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 (HR 3854) would make state-licensed pharmacists and other health care providers eligible for health IT loans, Healthcare IT News reports.
House Small Business Regulations and Healthcare Subcommittee Chair Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.) introduced the Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act, which then was incorporated into the larger bill.
The legislation would create a health IT lending program to provide reduced-cost health IT loans guaranteed up to 90%, with a subsidized deferment period of up to three years.
The National Community Pharmacists Association supports the legislation.
The House Small Business Committee has approved the bill, and the legislation now moves to the full House (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 10/27).