Dive Brief:
- National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo on Tuesday announced $1 million in new grant programs to support community projects for the Community Interoperability Health Information Exchange Program.
- The Community Interoperability and HIE program will provide funds to up to ten community organizations, state or local government agencies, or other community groups to advance the flow of health information at the community level.
- The deadline for the submission of applications is June 16 of this year. The deadline to submit intent to apply notices is May 15, which are not mandatory.
Dive Insight:
Under the new program, awardees will demonstrate the use of health IT a wide range of providers, including those not eligible under EHR incentive programs: long-term and post-acute care providers, behavioral health providers, individuals and their caregivers, safety net providers, public health, social service, emergency medical services and other nontraditional caregivers.
"The flow of health information across the entire care continuum is a critical step to realizing a learning health system that results in not only better care, but healthier people and communities," said DeSalvo. "The new Community Interoperability and HIE program will fund local efforts that will leverage health IT in support of a more comprehensive digital data picture of health for people and their communities."