08/27/2010
Maine Gov. John Baldacci said the state has won approval from HHS for the full use of a $6.6 million federal grant to expand and coordinate health IT efforts statewide. Maine is the sixth state to have its health IT plan approved by HHS. Waterville Morning Sentinel et al.
08/27/2010
Health care providers facing a shortage of health IT staff could leverage employees' existing skill sets and explore remote hosting and other alternative health IT implementation strategies, according to a new report from Computer Sciences Corp. CMIO, Health Data Management.
08/26/2010
The Western New York health data exchange HealtheLink plans to use its $16.1 million Beacon Community grant from HHS to improve disease management for residents with diabetes. The project aims to improve care coordination and eliminate inefficiencies. Health Data Management et al.
08/26/2010
In an opinion piece, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes that progress in IT is transforming health care, noting that government investments in regional extension centers and health data exchanges have helped promote electronic health record adoption. Kaiser Health News.
08/25/2010
On Tuesday, Vice President Biden revealed a new White House report on the effects of the 2009 economic stimulus package, which provided $20 billion in investments for health IT. For example, the stimulus funding has helped health care providers improve the infrastructure necessary to set up information networks, according to the report. Modern Healthcare et al.
08/25/2010
State and local health IT spending is expected to increase by 19% across the next five years to reach nearly $10 billion, a new report finds. Researchers attribute the escalation to funding from the economic stimulus package and other health care trends. Federal Computer Week.
08/25/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee has created a new work group to develop recommendations on prioritizing quality measures for the Stage 2 requirements for "meaningful use." National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal will chair the work group. Health Data Management.
08/24/2010
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives has published an 80-page guide aimed at helping CIOs and other IT executives implement electronic health records and meet "meaningful use" requirements to qualify for federal incentive payments. Modern Healthcare et al.
08/24/2010
The Obama administration has announced $32 million in funding for the development of health care services in rural areas. Part of the funding is geared toward increasing capacity to help communities set up telehealth programs for underserved communities. Funding also will be used to establish health care networks for veterans who live in rural areas. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.
08/23/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee recently approved a set of recommendations governing how health care providers should share patient data through health information exchanges. However, some panel members raised concerns about whether physicians should be required to offer alternatives to patients who opt out of health information exchange networks. Government Health IT et al.
08/23/2010
The Obama administration is working to enhance patient privacy guidelines after criticism emerged that the proposed rules failed to adequately protect patient data. The issue of patient safety is becoming more widespread as health care providers turn to health IT tools. New York Times.
08/23/2010
The federal government's timeline for health care providers to adopt electronic health records could cause some providers to hastily buy EHRs and others to avoid adopting them entirely, an opinion piece co-authored by former HHS Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy states. Washington Times.
08/19/2010
On Wednesday, the departments of Agriculture and Commerce announced grants totaling $1.8 billion for 94 broadband projects across the country. Many of the projects aim to increase broadband connections among hospitals, health care providers and emergency responder networks. Funds for the grants come from the federal economic stimulus package. Computerworld et al.
08/19/2010
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a list of 45 approved steps that certification entities will need to take while evaluating whether an electronic health record system would support "meaningful use" requirements. Health Data Management et al.
08/18/2010
In a letter to state Medicaid directors, CMS details three requirements states must meet to receive federal matching funds for administrative expenses related to the "meaningful use" incentive program. The letter also recommends that states pursue an incremental approach to implementing the electronic health record incentive programs. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.