Burris on Recovery Act Funding for Illinois to Fight Health Care Associated Infections

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that $98,351.00 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are being allocated to the State of Illinois to combat and reduce health care associated infections (HAIs). HAIs are infections some patients acquire when they are in a health care setting such as a hospital or outpatient clinic.

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.

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I am pleased that these vital Recovery Act funds are being provided to Illinois to fight HAIs, said Senator Burris. These funds will help reduce the risk HAIs and assist in improving the quality of care for all Americans.

Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that up to $9 million in funding from the Recovery Act to state survey agencies in 43 states to reduce HAIs. Last fiscal year, 12 states volunteered to get a head start on this nationwide effort to reduce health care associated infections in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers by beginning to survey ambulatory surgical centers with funding of nearly $1 million provided through the Recovery Act.

These funds support activities described in the HHS? 2009 Action Plan to Prevent Health Care Associated Infections. The plan also establishes national goals, prioritizes recommended clinical practices, and coordinates a national research agenda.

HHS 2009 Action Plan to Prevent Health Care Associated Infections - www.hhs.gov/ophs/initiatives/hai/prevention

Source: Senator Roland W. Burris