The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded more than $267 million to 28 nonprofit organizations to establish health IT regional extension centers.
The centers are being established to provide local resources to healthcare practitioners for technical assistance, guidance, and information on best practices for implementing electronic health records.
With this April 6 announcement, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus fund awards bring the total number of regional extension centers being established to 60. The $375 million investment in the centers is expected to provide nationwide outreach and technical support services to at least 100,000 primary care providers and hospitals within two years.
All regional extension center awardees have the opportunity to apply for two-year expansion supplemental awards. The $25 million available in this program is targeted to provide health IT support services to the 2,000 critical access hospitals and rural hospitals having up to a 50-bed capacity.
Related Reading
U.S. releases $1B in ARRA funds for HIT, February 12, 2010
HHS announces $38 million in health IT grants, December 24, 2009
$60 million issued for HIT research grants, December 21, 2009
Obama issues HIT funding, December 10, 2009
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