government
Rural hospitals get funds for EMRs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 20, 2010
Millions in federal money is helping critical access and rural hospital facilities convert from paper-based to electronic medical records. More than 1,600 hospitals will benefit from the $20 million in the assistance being provided, according to estimates in a Sept. 10 Dept. of Health and Human Services statement.
The funding originated in the 2009 economic stimulus package. It is being administered through HHS' Regional Extension Centers, which offer technical guidance and information on best practices to support physicians and hospitals in becoming "meaningful users" of EMRs. Those who demonstrate meaningful use could be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid incentives totaling as much as $27.4 billion over 10 years.
"The benefits of health information technology can be especially important for patients and clinicians in small and rural health care facilities, yet these facilities face high hurdles as they look toward joining in the transition to electronic information," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/09/20/gvbf0920.htm.
