HHS awards $84M for community EHR systems

The Health and Human Services Department will give grants totaling $83.9 million to community health centers in 27 states to implement electronic health record (EHR) systems, HHS said today.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius awarded the grants to 45 networks of health centers across the nation, according to a news release. The funding came from a $2 billion health information technology funding pool controlled by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). That agency supports the community health centers through its Health Center Controlled Networks program.

The HRSA-funded centers provide primary health care to low-income patients, and the grants will support new and enhanced digital record projects at the centers, as well as health IT innovation projects.

Eligible professionals practicing in the centers who are able to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology may be eligible for incentive payments provided under Medicaid and Medicare. HHS said.