Health IT grants part of additional stimulus money

Recovery act rewards also would assist physicians in tackling chronic diseases and medical school debt.

By Chris Silva, amednews staff. Posted Oct. 16.

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Washington The Dept. of Health and Human Services in September allocated new money from the most recent federal stimulus package to a broad range of health and medical programs.

HHS announced Sept. 29 that $120 million in stimulus funds would go to states and territories for three initiatives -- environmental change, tobacco cessation and special health promotion programs. State-level efforts receiving funding will aim to help communities and schools support healthy choices as part of a broader effort to reduce the threat of chronic diseases. States interested in applying for these cooperative agreements can find more information online (www.grants.gov/).

The application deadline is Nov. 24.

Also on Sept. 29, HHS announced the release of stimulus money totaling $27.8 million to help health centers and networks implement electronic medical records and other health information technology. More than two dozen coalitions, associations and networks received health IT grants. The list of grant recipients is on the HHS Web site (www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090929a.html).

On Sept. 30, HHS announced 63 awards totaling more than $7.6 million to help states recruit new health care professionals and alleviate students' debt burdens.

Eighteen grants, $5.8 million, will be awarded under the State Loan Repayment Program, which is designed to increase the availability of primary care physicians in health professional shortage areas. In addition, 45 grantees will receive $1.8 million under the State Primary Care Office program to help recruit new members for the National Health Service Corps, which provides scholarships and loan repayment for primary care physicians who agree to serve in shortage areas.

This content was published online only.

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