Health Information Management

Bill supporting healthcare IT for rural areas headed to the House

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, July 9, 2007

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Rural healthcare IT funding is currently gaining support through the Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act (H.R. 2860), authored by Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Greg Walden (R-OR). The bill currently has the backing of 55 cosponsors, and Pomeroy and Walden say they will attach it to the next healthcare Bill to reach the House floor, according to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

In addition to increasing Medicare payments to rural healthcare providers, the bill would provide for IT funding to the providers through significant grants. The $20-$30 million dollar grants will support healthcare providers in purchasing IT systems. According to Greg Walden (R-OR), the infrastructure of rural healthcare is eroding because of its large dependence on goodwill. This bill, which supports the IT needs of rural facilities whose current systems are increasingly faulty and outdated, should allow these providers to increase their functionality, security, and compliance with current healthcare rules and regulations.

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