Health Information Technology

Electronic health records and related health information technology potentially will help hospitals operate more efficiently and reduce costs.

Federal

The move to EHRs was bolstered when Congress included specific funds for health information technology in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009. The federal stimulus package included a reimbursement incentive for physician and hospital providers who are successful in becoming “meaningful users” of electronic health records (EHR). LEARN more

State

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Health Services Authority are overseeing the use of some $28.8 million in federal HIT/EHR funds over a four-year period  to coordinate/guide the implementation of statewide HIE services for the state. A 16-member EHI Exchange System Advisory Committee, which includes hospital representatives, is advising the commission on implementation of an HIE pilot in the state’s Children’s Health Insurance and Medicaid programs as well as the development of an electronic prescribing system.