Clearer Picture Emerges on Stimulus's IT Funding

Over the past few weeks, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has released key updates about available funding to advance health IT adoption, including changes to an existing funding program and the announcement of a new initiative. First, the Health IT Regional Extension Center Program cycles have been consolidated and available funding has been increased. Second, ONC unveiled the health IT "Beacon Communities" program, which aims to strengthen community-based health IT infrastructures and health information exchange capabilities. Both programs were established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Through these and other initiatives, ONC seeks to ensure wide-scale adoption and effective implementation of health IT applications nationwide to ultimately improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery.