*\tUnder a separate allocation, AHRQ has also awarded a contract to CUBRC Incorporated in Buffalo, New York, for $297,460 to identify and support the planning of regional data sharing and interoperability activities in the western New York area and operated by Erie County.

"These expanded projects are an important success story for health IT," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. "These grantees started from scratch, many in rural and underserved areas, and in less than a year they've laid the groundwork to build valuable health IT systems in their communities. They will improve care for their own patients, and their experiences will help others learn how to build health IT systems and serve their patients better."

These awards join 40 implementation grant recipients announced by HHS last year. With these 16 awards, AHRQ's investment in health IT totals more than $166 million. AHRQ is supporting President Bush's initiative to use health IT to improve the nation's health care system by promoting the adoption of health IT by local communities and health care providers, especially in rural and small communities, and working with states to develop regional health information networks.
A complete list of the 2005 Health IT Implementation Grant recipients is available at www.dhhs.gov.

In a separate announcement, HHS has awarded three contracts totaling $17.5 million to public-private groups to advance nationwide interoperable health IT.

Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines