Senator Burris Announces Recovery Act Funding for Illinois for Health Information Technology Expansion

Funds going to Chicago and Springfield Health Centers

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. –United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that Department of Health and Human Services funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be allocated Chicago and Springfield health centers to implement Electronic Health Records (EHR) improvements.

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The funds are being directed as follows:

· $746,671 to the Near North Health Service Corporation in Chicago.

· $750,000 to the Illinois Primary Care Association in Springfield.

Senator Burris and the Democratic-led Congress passed the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that was signed into law by President Obama in February.

“While we continue to work on producing an effective health insurance reform bill, I am pleased to see that vital Recovery Act funds are being utilized to help patients and health centers right now.” said Senator Burris. “These funds will ensure that health centers have the most innovative health information technology to help improve the efficiency of our system, and the safety of patients.”

Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced awards totaling $27.8 million to health center-controlled networks and large multi-site health centers to implement Electronic Health Records and other health information technology. The funds are part of the $2 billion given to HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from the Recovery Act to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program.

Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration

www.hrsa.gov

Source: Senator Roland W. Burris