Michigan unveils strategy to garner stimulus IT funds

The Recovery Act included more than $25 billion in grants aimed at improving the nation's technology infrastructure and expanding adoption of electronic health records. The unprecedented amount of federal funding for health IT and broadband initiatives has provided some economic hope to states like Michigan, which boasts the highest unemployment rate in the country. Faced with 15 percent unemployment, a $2.8 billion budget deficit and the struggling automotive industry, officials in Michigan are hoping the federal government's IT investments provide a long-term windfall for the Midwestern state. With an eye toward enticing more technology firms to set up shop within the Michigan's borders, state officials have teamed up with business groups and local universities to coordinate the state's efforts on increasing adoption of both broadband and electronic health records. In the area of electronic health records, Michigan is ahead of most states in its planning, but not quite at the same level as leaders like Virginia and Delaware. Michigan Chief Information Officer Ken Theis said he is very proud of the progress the state has made on planning and implementing e-health records since discussions began in October 2006.