September 14, 2009
State will apply for Recovery Act funding to continue implementation
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the state will apply for funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to continue her administration's efforts to improve health care quality, reduce costs and enhance patient privacy through electronic exchange of health information. The state outlined its intentions in a letter from Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski to the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
"By expanding the use of health information technology, we can reduce errors and duplication, cut insurance costs, and increase patients' medical privacy," Granholm said. "This funding will enable us to continue our efforts to create the statewide infrastructure necessary to ensure every Michigan citizen can benefit from the latest technology in health care."
In 2006, Granholm created the Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN) and appointed a commission that developed the state's blueprint, Conduit to Care, for accelerating the use of health information technology across the state. With the support of the Legislature, the state began implementing the blueprint, providing seven regional Health Information Exchange (HIE) planning grants, two implementation grants, and creating a resource center to leverage resources and disseminate best practices across the state.
Through the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program, a funding opportunity provided by the Recovery Act, the state will apply for funding to continue the efforts already underway. Only one grant per state will be awarded. Awards will range from $4 million to $40 million. Applications are due October 16, 2009.
"The opportunity that the State HIE Cooperative Agreement Program presents for Michigan is significant," Olszewski wrote. "Michigan is ready to receive this funding and assistance, and we will utilize it to leverage past investments in HIE to achieve a statewide infrastructure."
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