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NM Primary Care Association Receives $2 Million Recovery Act Grant

Grant will Fund Adoption of Electronic Health Records, Other IT Systems

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the New Mexico Primary Care Association in Albuquerque will receive more than $2 million in grant funds to help adopt electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT) systems.

The $2.01 million is part of the $2 billion allotted to the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program. More than $83 million will be distributed to 45 health center networks nationwide, including the New Mexico Primary Care Association, in this round of grants.

"Health Information Technology saves lives by providing medical professionals with timely access to a patient's medical history. This grant is an important investment in New Mexico's health care system -- one that will improve the quality of health care offered around the state," Bingaman said.

"This funding will allow New Mexico to invest in state-of-the-art health information technology that will improve patient care and efficiency of services," Udall said.

The 45 grants will support new and enhanced EHR implementation projects as well as HIT innovation projects. Funds will allow grantees to use EHR technology to improve health care quality, efficiency, and patient safety. Eligible professionals practicing within health centers who are able to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology may be eligible for incentive payments provided under Medicaid and Medicare.

Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) improve the operational effectiveness and clinical quality in health centers by providing management, financial, technology and clinical support services. The networks, comprised of at least three collaborating organizations, are community-based groups that support HRSA-funded health centers that provide primary health care to nearly 19 million patients - a number expected to double over the next five years as health reform is implemented.

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