Healthcare organizations are no doubt keeping a careful eye on the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) related to electronic health record (EHR) implementation. Under President Obama’s federal stimulus plan, healthcare providers and institutions, private and state-funded alike, stand to gain a lot from this – including billions of dollars worth of federal and/or private grants.
Try using these tools to start your quest to get the grants to implement an EHR system of your own:
Grants.gov
The easiest way to begin applying for grants is to search online through Grants.gov. Since 2006, federal grant applications through Grants.gov have tripled. The website is constantly updated and fine-tuned in order to accommodate grant seekers, and money is being appropriated quickly by the federal government to aid site visitors.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services
As the largest organization providing government grants for EHR implementation, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides information on grants and how healthcare providers qualify for them. There are step-by-step processes to guide applicants along the way.
State Agencies
Other state agencies are also eligible to receive funding, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and State Departments of Health and Indian Tribal Organizations. These types of WIC/MIS grant opportunities may be accessed by visiting the USDA Recovery Act website.
The affiliated Food and Nutrition Service is a national agency which responds via regular mail as to applicants’ grant status and provisions. On the website, details are given as to how to go about applying for the grants.
Community Health Centers
In June 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the nation with the news that $851 million will be provided to community health centers under the Recovery Capital Improvement (CIP) Program.
“More than 650 centers will use the funds to purchase new equipment or health information technology systems,” she said, “and nearly 400 health centers will adopt and expand the use of electronic health records.”
For the full article by Kaye Eisele, click here.