HHS Awards More Than $36 Million for Health Center Adoption of Health Information Technology

Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced more than $36 million in funding for 50 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) in 41 states and Puerto Rico. This increase in health information technology support will impact over 1,020 participating health center organizations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

HCCNs improve access to care, enhance quality of care and achieve cost efficiencies through the redesign of practices to integrate services, optimize patient outcomes, or negotiate managed care contracts on behalf of participating health centers. The networks support health center participation in the Federal Health Information Technology Strategic Plan to:

• Adopt and implement certified electronic health record technology;
• Enhance comprehensive, integrated data collection, analysis, and reporting;
• Meet the requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs; and
• Improve clinical and operational quality, reduce health disparities, and improve population health through health information technology.

“Health Center Controlled Networks are a key tool in providing quality primary care to medically underserved communities,” said Secretary Burwell. “By using these networks, individual health centers can work together to share resources, leverage buying power, and improve access to health information technology, leading to a better care experience for vulnerable populations.”

The networks promote enhanced information sharing and support health centers in achieving the requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs using Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)-certified EHRs, adopting technology-enabled quality improvement strategies, and engaging in health information exchange.

“These awards demonstrate our continued focus on advancing health center quality and accountability across all health centers by supporting the adoption of Health Information Technology,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Acting Administrator Jim Macrae.

Nearly 1,400 health centers operate about 9,800 service delivery sites in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin. These health centers employ more than 170,000 staff who provide care for nearly 23 million patients.

To view a list of the award recipients, visit:
http://bphc.hrsa.gov/programopportunities/fundingopportunities/hccn/2016hccnawards/index.html

To learn more about HRSA’s Health Center Program, visit
http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html

To find a health center in your area, visit
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news. Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates. Last revised: July 20, 2016

Contact:

HHS Press Office
301-443-3376
[email protected]