WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday $162 million in awards to 16 states and qualified state designated entities for the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program.

The funding is part of $2 billion allotted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to advance healthcare IT adoption.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said with the awards announced Monday, every state and eligible territory has now been awarded funds under this program.

“These critical investments will help unleash the power of health information technology to cut costs, eliminate paperwork and help doctors deliver high-quality, coordinated care to patients,” Sebelius said.

“States are important partners in improving and expanding our electronic health records system,” she said. “By improving the secure exchange of electronic health records between providers and hospitals within and across states, these awards mark a significant step in bringing our health system into the 21st century.”

David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health information technology said Monday’s awards are critical to enabling care coordination and improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare.

With all states now empowered to start their journey toward identifying innovative ways to break down these barriers that prevent the seamless exchange of information, we can give patients the access to care they deserve and expect, Blumenthal said.

On February 12, 2010, HHS awarded $385 million to 40 states and state designated entities for the state HIE grant program. The awards announced Monday complete the awarding of cooperative agreements funded by this program, Sebelius said.

State/SDE Award Amount
Agency of Health Care Administration (FL) $20,738,582
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene $9,313,924
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority $11,408,594
South Carolina Department of Health & Human Services $9,576,408
Iowa Department of Public Health $8,375,000
Idaho Health Data Exchange $5,940,500
State of North Dakota, Information Technology Department $5,343,733
State of Alaska $4,963,063
Nebraska Department of Administrative Services $6,837,180
South Dakota Department of Health $6,081,750
Department of Public Health, State of CT $7,297,930
State of Mississippi $10,387,000
Indiana Health Information Technology, Inc. $10,300,000
HealthShare Montana $5,767,926
Texas Health and Human Services Commission $28,810,208
Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum $10,583,000
 
Total $161,724,798

 

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