HIDI Tech Connect - December 3

HHS Announces Beacon Community Program To Accelerate HIT
MHA Staff Contact: Theresa Rogers
(12/3/09)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released $235 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants to accelerate health information technology in 15 communities. The Beacon Community Program will establish cooperative agreements with communities to strengthen existing HIT infrastructure and information exchange capabilities. Grant recipients will track and report their progress on health and efficiency goals for electronic health record adoption and meaningful use. These could include reductions in blood pressure among hypertensive patients, reduced blood sugar levels among diabetics, lower smoking levels or reductions in health care disparities among populations.