§300jj–33 State Grants to Promote Health Information Technology

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the National Coordinator, must set up a program to help states expand the secure electronic sharing and use of health information using national standards. The Secretary can give planning grants to a State or a State‑designated group that applies. The Secretary can give implementation grants to a State or designated group that has an approved plan and applies. Grant money must be used for things like increasing participation in secure electronic exchange, finding state or local resources, supporting federal efforts, giving technical help to fix exchange problems, promoting use in underserved areas, helping patients use health IT, encouraging clinicians to work with Regional Extension Centers, supporting public health access, using electronic records for quality improvement, and other Secretary‑approved activities. A plan must be for the public good, match the National Coordinator’s strategy, explain how the State or its designated group will do the work, and include any other items the Secretary requires. A qualified State‑designated group must be chosen by the State, be a nonprofit with wide stakeholder representation, aim to improve care by secure electronic information exchange, have fair and conflict‑free policies, and meet any other Secretary rules. States or groups must consult many stakeholders (providers, plans, patients, vendors, employers, public health, schools, researchers, support staff, and others). The Secretary will review the program every year and use lessons learned to improve future grants. For grants starting in fiscal year 2011, States must provide non‑Federal matching funds of at least $1 for every $10 of Federal money; for 2012, $1 for every $7; and for 2013 and later, $1 for every $3. For years before 2011, the Secretary may set matching rules.