Recovery Act Health News
Cincinnati, Detroit selected as final health IT pilot communities under innovative HHS Recovery Act Beacon Program
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that Cincinnati and Detroit are the two final pilot communities selected under the new Beacon Community Program that is using health information technology to help tackle leading health problems in communities across the country.HHS Awards $17 Million for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced three sets of grants and cooperative agreements totaling nearly $17 million for patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), or research that compares treatments and strategies to improve health outcomes for patients.Initial EHR Certification Bodies Named
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT), Chicago, Ill. and the Drummond Group Inc. (DGI), Austin, Texas, were named today by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) as the first technology review bodies that have been authorized to test and certify electronic health record (EHR) systems for compliance with the standards and certification criteria that were issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year.Gene Scan Finds Link Across Array of Childhood Brain Disorders
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
Mutations in a single gene can cause several types of developmental brain abnormalities that experts have traditionally considered different disorders. With support from the National Institutes of Health, researchers found those mutations through whole exome sequencing — a new gene scanning technology that cuts the cost and time of searching for rare mutations. The research is funded in part by a $2.9 million stimulus grant from NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Discovered gene causes Kabuki syndrome
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
Using a new, rapid and less expensive DNA sequencing strategy, scientists have discovered genetic alterations that account for most cases of Kabuki syndrome, a rare disorder that causes multiple birth defects and mental retardation. Instead of sequencing the entire human genome, the new approach sequences just the exome, the 1-2 percent of the human genome that contains protein-coding genes. This research is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Recovery Act Investments Will Support Preventive Medicine Residency Programs
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced 15 awards totaling $9 million to support Preventive Medicine Residency Programs at accredited schools of public health, schools of medicine, and hospitals. Of these funds, nearly $6.7 million is part of the $200 million appropriated to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to address the nation's health care workforce shortages.HHS Awards $10 Million in Prevention and Wellness Grants to 10 National Organizations
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards of $10 million to 10 national non-profit organizations to support public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and reduce obesity through increased physical activity and improved nutrition. These 10 national organizations will provide expert guidance to community leaders, help sustain prevention efforts when Recovery Act funding ends, and foster a national movement toward prevention by implementing key practices across their networks and systems.Final Rule Issued for Temporary Certification Program for Electronic Health Record Technology
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today issued a final rule to establish a temporary certification program for electronic health record (EHR) technology. The temporary certification program establishes processes that organizations will need to follow to be authorized by the National Coordinator to test and certify EHR technology.HHS Awards $83.9 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Expand Use of Health Information Technology
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $83.9 million in grants to help networks of health centers adopt electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT) systems. The funds are part of the $2 billion allotted to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program.HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces $1 Billion in NIH Recovery Act Awards
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced one billion dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been awarded to construct, repair and renovate scientific research laboratories and related facilities across the country. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) administered the grants, which are expected to create or sustain jobs nationwide and to help foster scientific advances that may lead to improved human health.Vice President Biden, HHS Secretary Sebelius Announce Selection of 15 Health IT Pilot Communities through Recovery Act Beacon Community Program
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
Vice President Biden and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the selection of 15 communities across the country to serve as pilot communities for eventual wide-scale use of health information technology through the Beacon Community program. The $220 million in Recovery Act awards will not only help achieve meaningful and measurable improvements in health care quality, safety and efficiency in the selected communities, but also help lay the groundwork for an emerging health IT industry that is expected to support tens of thousands of jobs.HHS Awards ARRA Funds to Establish a Center of Excellence in Research on Disability Services, Care Coordination and Integration
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Disability today announced the award of over $6 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to establish a Center of Excellence in Research on Disability Services, Care Coordination and Integration.HHS Announces $267 Million for New Health IT Centers
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
Grants will provide hands-on, community based support to providers to accelerate the adoption of Health Information Technology. This round of awards brings 28 additional non-profit organizations to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs). A total of 60 RECs will provide nationwide outreach and technical support services to at least 100,000 primary care providers and hospitals within two years.Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Funds Available to States to Improve Participation in Summer Food Service Programs
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
In an effort to address childhood hunger and its impact on child development, health and learning, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), are notifying states that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) can be used to assist families through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).HHS Awards $372 Million in Prevention and Wellness Grants to 44 Communities Around the Nation
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced awards of more than $372 million to 44 communities, to support public health efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces the Availability of Recovery Act Funds for Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Mar 05, 2010.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a funding opportunity for national public or private non-profit organizations to apply for $10 million in cooperative agreements to help communities decrease smoking and obesity, increase physical activity and improve nutrition.Obama Administration Grants Relief to States on Payments to Medicare for Part D Costs
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Feb 18, 2010.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $4.3 billion in financial relief to states by reducing the amount they will have to pay the federal government to offset the cost of Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for state residents eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.Sebelius, Solis Announce Nearly $1 Billion Recovery Act Investment in Advancing Use of Health IT, Training Workers for Health Jobs of the Future
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Feb 18, 2010.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis today announced a total of nearly $1 billion in Recovery Act awards to help health care providers advance the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (IT) and train workers for the health care jobs of the future. The awards will help make health IT available to over 100,000 hospitals and primary care physicians by 2014 and train thousands of people for careers in health care and information technology.NIA Funds Roybal Centers for Translational Research in Aging
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Feb 09, 2010.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced that it has renewed funding for nine Edward R. Roybal Centers for Research on Applied Gerontology and designated four new centers. The Centers will study mobility, independence, decision making, and cognition. The goal of the centers is to move promising social and behavioral research findings out of the laboratory and into programs and practices that will improve the lives of older people and help society adapt to an aging population.NIA Funds Centers to Study Demography of Aging
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Feb 09, 2010.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced that it has committed more than $36.7 million over the next five years to support and expand its Centers on the Demography and Economics of Aging. The Centers form a network of universities and organizations leading innovative studies on the characteristics of the aging population. The awards, which include some support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, renewed support for 11 Centers and established three new ones.More Than $119 Million Awarded to States and Territories
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Feb 05, 2010.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded more than $119 million to states and U.S. territories to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking-the four most important actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.CMS and ONC Issue Regulations Proposing a Definition of ‘Meaningful Use' and Setting Standards for Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Dec 30, 2009.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations issued today that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.HHS Announces New Health IT Workforce Grants
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Dec 23, 2009.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of two additional grant programs to support the training and development of the skilled workforce required to support broad adoption and use of health information technology (health IT).HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Plans to Establish Health IT "Beacon Communities"
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Dec 02, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. David Blumenthal, HHS' National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, announced today plans to make available $235 million to support an innovative Beacon Community Program.Secretary Sebelius Releases $1.2 Million in Recovery Funds to Support Health Professions Faculty from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Nov 18, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards totaling nearly $1.2 million to help health professions faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds repay their student loans. The funds are part of $500 million appropriated to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to address workforce shortages and encourage greater diversity in the health professions.NCMHD Recovery Act Funds Support Obesity Disparities in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Basin Jurisdiction
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Oct 28, 2009.
The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), a part of the National Institutes of Health, awards a two-year planning grant totaling $600,000 to study obesity-related disparities among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. This is a portion of the NIH $5 billion of Recovery funds announced by President Obama on September 30th.NIEHS Awards Recovery Act Funds to Address Bisphenol A Research Gaps
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Oct 28, 2009.
Researchers studying the health effects of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) gathered in North Carolina to launch an integrated research initiative to produce data that will allow for a comprehensive assessment of its possible human health effects.Recovery Act Funds Expand Studies of Stem Cell Biology
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Oct 28, 2009.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is using $5.4 million of Recovery Act funds to accelerate basic studies of induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells, abbreviated iPS, are reprogrammed from skin or other easily obtained adult cells and appear to be similar to stem cells derived from embryos.New EUREKA Awards Fund Highly Innovative Research, Promise Big Payoffs
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Oct 28, 2009.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded 56 grants of up to $67.4 million to support highly innovative research projects that promise big scientific payoffs. The new awards are part of the EUREKA (Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration) program, which helps scientists test new, unconventional ideas or tackle major methodological or technical challenges.Secretary Sebelius Releases $7.6 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Support Health Professionals Serving in High Need Areas
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 30, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced 63 awards totaling more than $7.6 million to help states recruit new health care clinicians and alleviate their debt burden. The funds are part of the $500 million allotted to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to address workforce shortages and encourage diversity in the health professions.HHS Awards $46 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Create Jobs and Spur Economic Improvement
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 30, 2009.
HHS today awarded $46 million to 84 grantees under a new program, the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF), created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Secretary Sebelius Releases $7.6 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Support Health Professionals Serving in High Need Areas
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 30, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced 63 awards totaling more than $7.6 million to help states recruit new health care clinicians and alleviate their debt burden. The funds are part of the $500 million allotted to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to address workforce shortages and encourage diversity in the health professions.HHS Awards $46 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Create Jobs and Spur Economic Improvement
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 30, 2009.
HHS today awarded $46 million to 84 grantees under a new program, the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF), created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Secretary Sebelius Releases $27.8 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Expand the Use of Health Information Technology
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 29, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards totaling $27.8 million to health center-controlled networks and large multi-site health centers to implement electronic health records (EHR) and other health information technology (HIT) innovations. The funds are part of the $2 billion allotted to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals through its health center program.NIH Funds Four Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 28, 2009.
New Efforts Will Focus on Psychiatric Disorders, Gene RegulationNIH Announces 115 Awards to Encourage High-Risk Research and Innovation
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Sep 24, 2009.
Recovery Act funds contribute to encourage investigators to explore bold ideas that have the potential to catapult fields forward and speed the translation of research into improved health.Recovery Act to Fund 12 State Efforts To Improve Care In Ambulatory Surgical Centers
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jul 30, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today provided the down payment for a nationwide effort to reduce health care associated infections in stand-alone or same-day surgical centers. The first effort will begin later this month in 12 states under provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).Secretary Sebelius Makes Recovery Act Funding Available to Expand Health Professions Training
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jul 28, 2009.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of $200 million to support grants, loans, loan repayment, and scholarships to expand the training of health care professionals.Recovery Act Funding Supports 23 Fellowships for Early Career Scientists
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jul 22, 2009.
Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will allow the National Institutes of Health to create jobs for early career scientists and increase the ranks of researchers and clinicians working in the global health field. With $3 million in funding over the next 18 months, the NIH's Fogarty International Center will be able to support 23 additional participants in its Clinical Research Training Scholars and Fellows Program.Major NIMH Research Project to Test Approaches to Altering the Course of Schizophrenia
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jul 21, 2009.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is launching a large-scale research project to explore whether using early and aggressive treatment, individually targeted and integrating a variety of different therapeutic approaches, will reduce the symptoms and prevent the gradual deterioration of functioning that is characteristic of chronic schizophrenia.$90 Million in Recovery Act Funds to Bolster Water Services in Indian Country and Create Jobs
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jul 08, 2009.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Indian Health Service (IHS) today announced $90 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improved access to vital drinking water and wastewater services in the American Indian and Alaska Native communities.First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Release of $851 Million from Recovery Act to Upgrade & Expand Community Health Centers, To Serve More Patients
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jun 30, 2009.
First Lady Michelle Obama visited Unity's Upper Cardozo Health Center on Monday and announced the release of $851 million in grants to address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for millions of Americans The money was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and comes as more Americans join the ranks of the uninsured due to the economic downturn and skyrocketing health costs.Patient-Centered Research Report Sent to Congress Outlining Research Priorities
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jun 29, 2009.
Council Reports Back After Vigorous Public Outreach; Advises New Research Dollars To Focus On Populations Who Have Been Under-Represented And Better, More Coordinated Dissemination Of Information To Patients And ProvidersNIH Expands Human Microbiome Project; Funds Sequencing Centers and Disease Projects
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Announcements. Published on Jun 23, 2009.
The Human Microbiome Project has awarded more than $42 million to expand its exploration of how the trillions of microscopic organisms that live in or on our bodies affect our health, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced today.