HHS $84 Million Bringing HIT to “Low-Income & Uninsured”

HHS announced $83.9 million in grants to help “networks of health centers” adopt EHRs and other HIT systems. The funds are part of the $2 billion allotted to HHS to expand services to low-income and uninsured individuals.

Forty-five grants will support “new and enhanced EHR implementation projects as well as HIT innovation projects. Funds will allow grantees to use EHR technology to improve healthcare quality, efficiency, and patient safety,” stated HHS. Eligible professionals practicing within health centers, who are able to demonstrate Meaningful Use of certified EHR technology may be eligible for incentive payments provided under Medicaid and Medicare.

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

ARRA – Health Information Technology Implementation Grants

Organization	City	State	Amount
Whatley Health Services, Inc	Tuscaloosa	Alabama	$645,875
Alaska Primary Care Association, Inc.	Anchorage	Alaska	$567,891
Dena’ Nena’ Henash – Tanana Chiefs Conference	Fairbanks	Alaska	$1,000,000
El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center	Tucson	Arizona	$1,000,000
Golden Valley Health Center	Merced	California	$2,998,013
Association of Asian/Pacific Community Health Organizations	Oakland	California	$1,000,000
Redwood Community Health Network	Petaluma	California	$2,079,598
Family Health Centers of San Diego, Inc	San Diego	California	$3,000,000
Community Access HCCN, LLC	San Francisco	California	$2,519,875
Community Health Center Network	San Leandro	California	$3,000,000
Alliance For Rural Community Health	Ukiah	California	$866,031
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc	Ventura	California	$3,000,000
Colorado Community Managed Care Network	Denver	Colorado	$1,000,000
Southbridge Med. Advisory Council, Inc.	Wilmington	Delaware	$558,114
Health Choice Network, Inc.	Miami	Florida	$2,990,887
Community Health Centers Alliance, Inc.	Saint Petersburg	Florida	$3,000,000
Erie Family Health Center, Inc	Chicago	Illinois	$999,998
Near North Health Service Corporation	Chicago	Illinois	$2,998,849
Illinois Primary Care Association	Springfield	Illinois	$3,000,000
Community Health Integrated Partnership, Inc.	Glen Burnie	Maryland	$2,912,404
Boston HealthNet	Boston	Massachusetts	$2,986,872
Northern Minnesota Network	Isanti	Minnesota	$2,452,568
Coastal Family Health Center, Inc.	Biloxi	Minnesota	$2,987,714
Missouri Coalition for Primary Health Care	Jefferson City	Missouri	$1,000,000
St. Louis Integrated Health Network	St. Louis	Missouri	$1,000,000
One World Community Health Centers	Omaha	Nebraska	$1,511,083
Community Health Access Network, Inc.	Newmarket	New Hampshire	$1,106,358
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc.	Hammonton	New Jersey	$3,000,000
New Mexico Primary Care Association	Albuquerque	New Mexico	$2,011,000
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Inc.	New York	New York	$994,800
Community Health Care Association of New York State	New York	New York	$2,999,983
The Institute for Family Health	New York	New York	$825,709
Finger Lakes Migrant Health Care Project, Inc.	Penn Yan	New York	$997,832
OCHIN Inc.	Portland	Oregon	$3,000,000
Health Federation of Philadelphia	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	$327,169
East Bay Community Action Program	Newport	Rhode Island	$1,574,074
Community Health Network	Oakdale	Tenn.	$2,110,936
Texas Association of Community Health Center	Austin	Texas	$982,587
Lone Star Circle of Care	Georgetown	Texas	$2,987,610
Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center, Inc.	San Antonio	Texas	$2,909,072
Wasatch Homeless Health Care, Inc.	Salt Lake City	Utah	$585,000
Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc.	Saltville	Virginia	$1,826,240
Bi-State Primary Care Association	Montpelier	Vermont	$2,226,278
PTSO of Washington	Seattle	Washington	$1,361,093
Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association	Madison	Wisconsin	$1,000,000
Total:			$83,901,513