HHS awards $1.1 million in Recovery Act funds to expand use of health information technology in North and South Dakota

HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield today announced $1.1 million in grants to help a network of health centers in North and South Dakota adopt electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT) systems. The funds are part of the $2 billion allotted to HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program. 

 “These funds will help safety net providers across North and South Dakota acquire state-of-the-art health information technology systems as they work to provide quality health care to millions of people in need,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. 

Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) improve the operational effectiveness and clinical quality in health centers by providing management, financial, technology and clinical support services. The networks, comprised of at least three collaborating organizations, are community-based groups that support HRSA-funded health centers that provide primary health care to nearly 19 million patients – a number expected to nearly double over the next five years as the Affordable Care Act is implemented.

The activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). More information on ARRA funding for health information technology can be found at: http://wayback.archive-it.org/3909/20130927155711/http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/index.html#Health

The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.  HRSA is the primary federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.  For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov