Health Centers Awarded Funds for EHR Upgrades and Purchases

HHS announced more than $87 million in funding for health centers in all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Pacific territories on September 15. The 2016 Delivery System Health Information Investment Awards will be awarded to 1,310 health centers.

The awards are intended to help health centers upgrade their health IT and support the technological aspects of value-based care models and increase information sharing and engagement. EHR systems purchased or upgraded with funds from the award must be certified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

Health centers provide care to more than 24 million people but these awards are the first major federal investment in health IT for these providers since 2009, HHS said.

A list of award recipients is available from the Health Resources and Services Administration.