The HITECH Act seeks to improve patient care and make it patient-centric through the creation of a secure, interoperable nationwide health information network. A key premise is that information should follow the patient, and artificial obstacles -- technical, bureaucratic, or business related -- should not be a barrier to the seamless exchange of information. Therefore, secure information exchange needs to occur across institutional and business boundaries so that the appropriate information is available to improve coordination, efficiency, and quality of care. HITECH grant programs are designed to support these goals through diverse activities.
Health Information Technology Extension Program
This program provides grants for the establishment of Health
Information Technology Regional Extension Centers that will offer
technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices to
support and accelerate health care providers' efforts to become
meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The consistent,
nationwide adoption and use of secure EHRs will ultimately enhance the
quality and value of health care.
Learn more about the Health Information Technology Extension Program
These grant programs will support states and/or State Designated
Entities (SDEs) in establishing health information exchange (HIE)
capacity among health care providers and hospitals in their
jurisdictions. Such efforts at the state level will establish and
implement appropriate governance, policies, and network services within
the broader national framework to rapidly build capacity for
connectivity between and among health care providers. State programs to
promote HIE will help to realize the full potential of EHRs to improve
the coordination, efficiency and, quality of care.
Learn more about the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program