Health IT Funding
The federal economic stimulus plan includes money for many projects that will impact rural communities, including funds for health IT and broadband access (necessary in some cases to fully implement IT applications). It’s a good idea to develop a plan for how your hospital, clinic, EMS agency or community could use these funds, so you’re prepared when they become available.
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There are other funding and information sources out there that you can use now.
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Grants:
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The USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program includes “advanced telecommunications and computer networks for medical and educational services” among the eligible activities it will consider for funding. Grants up to $300,000 with a 20% match are available. Contact a WI Rural Development Office for application information. Deadlines are March 31 and June 30.
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USDA Rural Development also sponsors the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.В Grants up to $500,000 with 15% match are available to fund equipment that functions via telecommunications systems for the purposes of connecting students and teachers or medical professionals and patients, such as teleradiology equipment.В The deadline is March 24.
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Conferences and other resources:
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The annual meeting of the American Telemedicine Association will be in Las Vegas April 26-28. В Topics will include telemedicine for correctional institutions, school-based applications and chronic care management.
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Last fall the Wisconsin Hospital Association released a report, Wisconsin Hospitals Connect to Health Information Technology, showing that hospitals are actively pursuing HIT adoption. Almost 90% of Wisconsin hospitals are using key technologies, such as electronic medical records.
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The Midwest Alliance for Telehealth & Technology Resources has developed a toolkit to assist hospitals and clinics with developing and implementing IT systems.В Topics covered include developing a strategic IT plan, finding funding sources and evaluating system effectiveness.
March 3, 2009
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KJacobson В· 
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Tags: Conferences, Grant Opportunities & Assistance, Health Information Technology, Reports and Studies В· Posted in: Conferences and Webinars, Grant Advice, Reports and Studies, Training and Tools
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